The effectiveness of the parachutist ankle brace in reducing ankle injuries in an airborne ranger battalion

Mil Med. 2000 Dec;165(12):944-8.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if the parachutist ankle brace (PAB) decreases the number and severity of ankle injuries in an airborne Ranger battalion. A retrospective study was performed covering a 38-month period. A computer database was used to track all jump injuries with a diagnosis of ankle pain, sprain, or fracture. The frequency was calculated for ankle injuries per 1,000 jumps and the average length of medically restricted duty per ankle injury. A total of 13,782 static line parachute jumps were conducted during the study period. Without the PAB, 35 ankle injuries were seen (4.5/1,000 jumps), with 9 fractures and 316 days of medical restriction per 1,000 jumps. Using the PAB, 9 ankle injuries were seen (1.5/1,000 jumps), with 3 fractures and 71 days of medical restriction per 1,000 jumps. The correct use of the PAB appeared to significantly decrease the incidence of ankle injuries in this battalion.

MeSH terms

  • Absenteeism
  • Accidents, Occupational / prevention & control*
  • Aerospace Medicine*
  • Ankle Injuries / epidemiology
  • Ankle Injuries / etiology*
  • Ankle Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Aviation*
  • Braces / standards*
  • Equipment Design
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
  • Fractures, Bone / etiology*
  • Fractures, Bone / prevention & control*
  • Georgia / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Military Personnel*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sprains and Strains / epidemiology
  • Sprains and Strains / etiology*
  • Sprains and Strains / prevention & control*