Ankle sprains are among the most frequent of all sports injuries. A forceful or sudden twisting motion could lead to damage to the ligaments of the ankle, although the joint is designed to adapt to uneven terrain. The ligaments may be torn and the ankle dislocated in severe sprains. Sometimes, the bones around the ankle may be fractured. Stretching or tearing of the ligaments may occur when the foot is twisted or rolled. Sports involving, sprinting, running, or jumping on uneven surfaces could cause ankle sprains. Cross country, football, basketball, and hockey are also some of the sports associated with ankle sprains.
Inversion sprains usually occur when pressure is applied during plantarflexion to the ankle. The anterior ligament is mainly injured. The medial malleolus may act as a fulcrum if the strain persists to harm the ligament. The peroneal tendons may absorb some of the strain. Medial ankle sprains are not so common because of a bony structure and the strong deltoid ligament of the ankle. Some tearing of the fibres may occur when ligaments are stretched beyond their normal range.
Cause of ankle sprain injury
Sudden twisting of the foot. Force or rolling to the foot, mainly laterally.
Ankle sprain grades
First-degree sprains: Little or no swelling: stiffness in the joint with mild pain.
Second-degree sprains: Stiffness and moderate swelling: moderate to severe pain: difficulty weight-bearing and some instability in the joint.
Third-degree sprains: Severe ankle pain and swelling: inability to weight-bear: loss of function and instability in the joint.
Complications if left unattended
Instability and chronic pain in the joint can result if left unattended. Loss of flexibility and strength and loss of function may result. The probability of re-injury increased.
Ankle sprain treatment
RICER. Second and third-degree sprains may require immobilization and medical attention might be sought.
Rehabilitation and prevention
Strengthening the muscles of the lower leg is very important to avoid sprains in the future. Balance training helps to enhance proprioception (the body’s awareness of motion and joint position sense) and strengthen the weakened ligaments. Exercises of flexibility enhance mobility and to decrease stiffness are needed. Bracing to action during the return might be needed but shouldn’t replace flexibility and strengthening development.
Long-term prognosis
With rehabilitation and strengthening no limitations should be experienced by the athlete. A small gain in the likelihood of injuring that ankle might happen. Athletes who continue to have difficulty with the ankle may require additional interventions including, in rare instances, a surgery that is possible to tighten the ligaments.
Ankle sprain recovery time
Grade l sprains typically take 2-4 weeks.
Grade II sprains make take more like 6-8 weeks.
Grade III sprain. The patient is typically in therapy for 12 weeks to 6 months before return to sports activities that require weight-bearing.
Sports massage in Watford for an ankle sprain
From around 3 to 5 days after an ankle injury, sports massage will help ease the pain while promoting blood flow to the sprained area.
Sports & deep-tissue massage is focused mainly on the muscles located around the ankle, front and back of the feet. There are many ligaments, tendons and muscles located around the ankle and feet. The tibialis anterior, abductor hallucis, extensor hallucis longus, extensor hallucis brevis, dorsal interosseous, extensor digitorum longus and the lumbrical muscles. An ankle and foot massage involves a range of techniques, each used to decrease pain, relieve tension and improve blood circulation. The sports massage therapist at Lucas Massage Therapy in Watford uses sports massage to decrease tightness, reduce pain and improve recovery.
Feel better – Move better – Be pain free
What is an ankle sprain? Ankle sprain treatment and recovery time.
Ankle sprains in football.
