- Research Article
- 10.1097/jom.0000000000003678
Ankle Sprains in the Workers' Compensation System: Trends, Costs, and Predictors of High-Expense Claims: a 9-year Analysis.
- Mar 03, 2026
- Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
- Xuguang Grant Tao + 6 more +6
To evaluate trends, costs, and predictors of high-cost ankle sprain claims in the workers' compensation (WC) system. Among 26,773 ankle injury claims (2016-2024), 18,991 sprains were identified and analyzed using descriptive and analytical multivariate methods. Sprains comprised about 70% of all ankle injuries, with increasing proportions among Medical-Only (MO) claims during the nine years. Litigation, some comorbidities (diabetes and thyroid conditions), and coexisting injuries were strongly associated with high-cost claims (≥$50,000). Sprains without coexisting injuries represented 82.2% of MO and 65.1% of Lost-Time (LT) cases, with average costs of $1,331 and $25,593, respectively, whereas those with coexisting injuries averaged $2,451 and $53,942. Ankle sprains impose a substantial and underrecognized WC burden among ankle injuries. Litigation, some comorbidities, and injury complications are key predictors of high-cost outcomes.
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