Synthesising a clinical Prognostic Rule for Ankle INjuries in the Emergency Department (SPRAINED)
The SPRAINED study is funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme
HTA Project Reference: 13/19/06
BACKGROUND
Ankle sprains are one of the most common soft tissue injuries. Over a million people attend an Emergency Department with a sprained ankle each year, with attendances varying from minor stretching to complete tear of the ligaments. Currently there is a lack of good-quality evidence to help clinical decision-making about which patients require further treatments and which patients can be reassured that recovery is likely.
AIMS
The SPRAINED study has the aim to develop and validate a prognostic tool for acute ankle sprains presenting to Emergency Departments or Minor Injury Units. This prognostic tool will identify which patients are at risk of having an extended recovery.
We will develop the tool using data from one of our previous trials (Collaborative Ankle Support Trial), as well as incorporating evidence from the current scientific literature and consensus opinion from clinicians and patients. We will then check how well the prognostic tool will work in clinical practice (validation) by testing the tool with 675 patients from about 10 NHS trusts around England.