Forty-seven cases of varus sprain of the ankle, demonstrating normal stress roentgenographic findings, were studied. Thirty-six were treated by aspiration of blood from the ankle and injection of hyaluronidase-lidocaine solution. Seven patients returned to football activity in one week and twenty-seven patients in two weeks.
Two patients, because of the severity of the swelling, had injection-aspiration treatment augmented by cast immobilization. They returned to football activity in three weeks. Three recurrences of a sprain following this treatment were reported.
Eleven patients were subjected to a more standard form of treatment. One patient returned to athletic activities in three weeks. One patient had the longest recovery time—nine weeks. One case of ankle reinjury in this group was reported.