Could a needle beat a brace for ankle sprains?

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with first-time lateral ankle sprains 2. The patient presents with symptoms of swelling and aching and weakness in the ankle joint. There may be a feeling of friction during joint movement, and the symptoms are aggravated after long - distance walking or on rainy and overcast days. 3. The patient presents with swelling and tenderness in the anteroinferior aspect of the lateral malleolus and the anterolateral aspect of the medial malleolus, and has limited mobility during inversion and flexion-extension. 4. Auxiliary examinations: No fracture or dislocation was found in the patient during the examination, and no fracture was detected by X-ray examination. 5. The patient's sprain time is more than 3 weeks and within 6 months. 6. Those who have not received surgical treatment at other medical institutions before coming to our hospital for treatment, can complete the treatment and accept follow - up. 7. The patients' ages range from 18 to 60 years old. 8. The patient voluntarily and is capable of signing the Informed Consent Form. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Those with complete rupture of fractures or soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments 2. Patients with severe primary diseases such as heart, liver, kidney, hematopoietic system diseases and mental diseases 3. Patients with tumors or tuberculosis in the ankle joint 4. Patients with rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis, or gout. 5. Patients with acute inflammatory reactions such as redness, swelling, heat and pain and signs of infection in the ankle joint, or those accompanied by severe osteoarthritis. 6. Patients with abnormal coagulation function or bleeding tendency, such as those with thrombocytopenia and severe diabetes. 7. Patients during pregnancy and lactation 8. Patients with damaged skin at the necessary needle insertion sites.