Ankle Sprain
An injury or ligament tear is called a sprain. When the ligament that is holding the joint of the ankle gets injured or torn, the ankle sprain happens. When your ankle gets injured, twist or turn in the position which is not normal, it sprains. This twisting and turning can stretch the ligament and sometimes cause a tear of the ligament, which makes your ankle joint unstable.
All the ligaments of the ankle make the joint stable and these ligaments have their own limit for movement. When any movement crosses the limit or boundary due to any reason it causes injury to the ligament. Ligament away from the joint is commonly injured.
Causes
- A fall on a twisted ankle
- Landing after a jump in a wrong position (wrongly positioned ankle)
- Exercises or walking on a coarse surface
- Ankle injures while playing any sports
- Improper shoes lead to ankle twisting (buckling)
Risk factors
- Sports activities like basketball, football, tennis, jumping, running, etc.
- Running or walking on a coarse surface
- Any previous ankle injury can make your joint unstable and injury prone
- Weak leg muscles raises the chances of ankle sprain
- Inappropriate shoes makes ankle sprain prone
Complications
- Severe ankle pain
- Severe instability of the ankle
- If not treated leads to arthritis of ankle joint
Symptoms
- Pain around the ankle joint or injured area
- Swelling on the injured area
- Tenderness
- Discoloration of the skin around the ankle
- Stiffness
- Not able to take weight on the injured ankle
Diagnosis
- Physical examination by your doctor
- X-ray: To check for any bony injury or bony chip avulsion
- MRI: Very specific investigation to check the ligament injury and level of damage
- Ct scan and ultrasound prescribed if necessary
Treatment
- Conservative:
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- Use a bandage (crepe) or elastic to provide support to the ankle.
- Use ankle brace to support
- Elevate your ankle/foot on pillows above the heart level, it will help in reducing the swelling
- Do icing 3 to 4 times a day on the ankle affected
- Try weight reduction on the affected ankle
- Medication: To reduce pain and inflammation
Mild damage heals within 2-3 weeks.
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- Surgery
- When conservative treatment for an ankle injury is not viable, surgery may be required.
- Arthroscopy: A thin wired camera is used to visualize the joint and joint structures
- Reconstruction: The surgeon repairs the damaged ligament through stitches or uses a tendon or other ligaments to reconstruct the damaged ligament.
- When conservative treatment for an ankle injury is not viable, surgery may be required.