All About Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are the most common sports injuries encountered today. If an ankle sprain does not heal correctly, the joint may become unstable, resulting in a weakened and easily re-injured ankle. Some people with repeated or severe sprains can develop long-term joint pain and weakness. Treating a sprained ankle can help prevent ongoing ankle problems.

Of all the joints in the body, none is as complex as the ankle. The ankle is a joint which is formed by the tibia and fibula (bones above the ankle in the foreleg) and the talus (below the ankle joint). Its intricate structure of bones, tendons, and ligaments is under the control of an equally complex group of muscles. Because of the complicated structure, the muscles around ankle can become pulled and torn when the ankle is forced into a position not normally encountered.

What is a Sprained Ankle?

In its essence, an ankle sprain is the stretching and tearing of ligaments. It occurs when the joint is rolled or stretched outside of its normal range of motion. It is a common musculoskeletal disorder occurring at an estimated rate of 1 per 10,000 persons per day. It is commonly found in activities that require running, jumping and change of direction (such as cricket and football). A sprain can cause the ankle to feel stiff and a person might not be able to walk for several days following an accident.

Doctors sometimes decide how seriously you have sprained your ankle using these different grades:

• Grade 1 sprain: Grade 1 ankle sprain is a mild sprain which cause stretching of the ligament. Most people can walk but may not be able to run or jump.
• Grade 2 sprain: Grade 2 ankle sprain is a moderate sprain where the ligaments are partly torn. Most people feel pain while walking.
• Grade 3 sprain: Grade 3 ankle sprain is a severe sprain where the ligaments are completely torn. Walking is very difficult with complaints of instability.

What are the types of sprained ankle?

There are 3 types of Ankle injury:

• Inversion sprain: This is the most common type of ankle sprain which occurs when ankle turns over so the sole of the foot faces inwards. Because of the position of the bones around the ankle, the inversion injury is very common with about 90% of ankle sprains being inversion injuries. Because of the damage caused to the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle, the pain is always on the outside of the ankle.

• Medial ligament sprain: This happens when the ankle rolls the other way, so the sole of the foot faces outwards, damaging the ligaments on the inside (medial) of the ankle. When this occurs, the ligament on the inside of the ankle, called the deltoid ligament, is stretched too far causing pain on the inner side of the ankle.

• The high ankle sprain: It can happen when the foot is forced to rotate away from the other foot, or when the foot is planted so it can't move and the leg is rotated toward the inside. In a high ankle sprain, a different set of ligaments are injured, called the syndesmosis ligaments. The syndesmosis ligaments are located above the ankle joint. High ankle sprains are caused when the lower leg and foot twist out, which occur commonly in contact and cutting sports like american football, ice hockey and soccer.

What are the causes?

The causes can be:

• A sudden twist
• A blow on ankle joint
• Wearing inappropriate shoes
• Walking or running on an uneven surface
• Slipping while going up or down stairs
• Losing your balance while wearing high heels
• Genetically weak ankles
• Previous ankle or foot injuries.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of ankle sprain include:

• Swelling
• Difficulty walking
• Bruising
• Coldness or numbness in the foot
• Pain in the ankle joint
• Inability to walk or bear weight on the joint
• Stiffness

What can I do about it?

Here are a few tips to help you with your sprained ankle:

• Rest: It is important to rest the injury to reduce pain and prevent further damage. Take a few days off of your feet. You don't have to be inactive, but be sure the ankle is being rested.
• Ice: Using ice packs, ice slush baths or ice massages and compression can ease the pain, reduce swelling, reduce bleeding (initially) and encourage blood flow. This can be done three to four times a day for 15-20 minutes up to 3 days after the injury. Never ice for more than 20 minutes.
• Elevate: Use gravity to reduce bleeding and swelling by allowing fluids to flow away from the site of injury. Try to keep your ankle elevated for about 2 to 3 hours a day if possible. A few pillows under the ankle should be fine to get the leg up enough while keeping the injured limb comfortable.
• Medication: If the pain becomes unbearable you might need some medicine to ease the pain, try ibuprofen or Aspirin.
• Heating: After a few days only once the swelling has gone, it may be soothing to apply heat to the injured ankle as this will promote blood flow to the area.
• Depeding upon the grade of your ankle sprain, your doctor may use a device to immobilize the ankle. In case of grade 3 sprain, a short leg cast or a cast-brace may be used for two weeks to three weeks.

How do I prevent ankle sprain?

There are measures you can take to help reduce your risk of spraining your ankle:

• Always wear footwear that supports your ankle.
• Always warm up and cool down before strengthening exercises.
• Don't exercise if you're tired.
• Maintain fitness by doing alternative activities.
• Take care when exercising on uneven or wet ground.

If an ankle sprain does not heal correctly, the joint can become unstable, resulting in a weakened ankle that is very susceptible to further injury. Proper initial care of your sprained ankle is mission critical.