Case Report: Acute hydrotherapy with super-saturated hydrogen-rich water for ankle sprain in a professional athlete [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Abstract

The traditional treatment of soft tissue injuries consists of the Background: RICE protocol – rest, ice, compression, and elevation, followed for up to 72 hours after a trauma. Although designed as an immediate therapy to reduce inflammation that occurs after an acute injury, the RICE protcol might not be the best way to promote healing due to limiting blood flow. Molecular hydrogen (H ) has recently been put forward as a possible adjuvant treatment in musculoskeletal medicine, yet limited data are available concerning its effectiveness as a first-aid intervention. We report here a case of an elite professional athlete who Case report: suffered a grade II ankle sprain, and who subsequently received six sessions of ankle and foot hydrotherapy (e.g. 30-min at every four hours) with super-saturated hydrogen-rich water during the first 24 hours post-injury. The pain VAS selfcompleted by the patient dropped from 50 points (moderate pain) at baseline (immediately after injury) to 20 points (mild pain) at 24-h follow-up. Ankle swelling dropped by 2.8% and dorsiflexion range of movement improved by 27.9% from baseline to follow-up, respectively. Our case has indicated that an acute multi-session Conclusions: hydrotherapy with hydrogen-rich water might be a helpful treatment in terms of pain, swelling reduction and regaining range of motion after an ankle sprain.

Study details

Article type

Original Research

Disease / injury model

Ankle sprain (grade II soft tissue injury)

Duration

24 hours

Outcome

Positive

Findings

Acute multi-session hydrotherapy with super-saturated hydrogen-rich water reduced pain (VAS from 50 to 20), decreased ankle swelling by 2.8%, and improved dorsiflexion range of movement by 27.9% within 24 hours after a grade II ankle sprain in a professional athlete. No side effects were reported.