Ankle Sprains
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Ankle Sprains
Ankle Sprains occur when the ankle joint, that connects foot with lower leg gets injured. It causes injuries to the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) when you accidentally turn or twist your ankle in an inappropriate position. It mainly involves ligaments on lateral (outer) side of the ankle, namely Anterior Talofibular Ligament(ATFL) and Calcaneofibular Ligament(CFL). In some cases medial (inner) ligament of the ankle- Deltoid ligament or the ligament joining 2 bones of legs- syndesmosis may be injured as well. Injury to syndesmotic ligaments leads to a high ankle sprain.
- Awkwardly landing foot while stepping up or down, running or doing a simple task like getting out of your bed.
- Stepping on an irregular surface
- Step down while doing any sport or dance activity.
- Unexpected movement around the ankle
- Even wearing inappropriate footwear can cause ankle sprains
- Pre-existing ankle and heel deformities
- Prior ankle injury
Here are some of the symptoms of Ankle Sprain. Have a look-
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Stiffness in Ankle or lower leg
- Skin Discoloration
- Inability to put weight on an affected or injured ankle
- Intense pain around affected ankle
In untreated or neglected cases, persistent ankle pain due to scar formation may lead to impingement. Untreated ankle sprain may also cause instability in ankle joint leading to frequent give ways and difficulty in walking specially on uneven surfaces.
The treatment of a sprained ankle is solely depended upon the severity level.
Most of the minor ankle sprains can be treated by simple home remedies involving RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). Wearing braces to support the ankle, using elastic bandages to wrap the ankle, taking pain killers to relieve the pain and taping the ankle also helps. After the initial acute period, rehabilitation under trained physiotherapist is important for getting back to sports or dance activities. If the pain persists beyond 5-7 days or there is inability to weight bear immediately after injury, it may be more sinister than a simple ankle sprain and hence consultation with a specialist is deemed necessary for early recovery and to prevent any damages in the future.
In chronic or neglected cases with impingement or instability, many a times surgery may be needed to clear the ankle joint using key hole surgery as well as reconstructing the torn ligaments.
Dr Anuj Chawla has years of experience in managing ankle sprains non operatively. He is also a trained ankle arthroscopy (key-hole) surgeon and is very proficient in reconstructing torn ligaments using small incision surgery.
- + Causes
-
- Awkwardly landing foot while stepping up or down, running or doing a simple task like getting out of your bed.
- Stepping on an irregular surface
- Step down while doing any sport or dance activity.
- Unexpected movement around the ankle
- Even wearing inappropriate footwear can cause ankle sprains
- Pre-existing ankle and heel deformities
- Prior ankle injury
- + Symptoms
-
Here are some of the symptoms of Ankle Sprain. Have a look-
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Stiffness in Ankle or lower leg
- Skin Discoloration
- Inability to put weight on an affected or injured ankle
- Intense pain around affected ankle
In untreated or neglected cases, persistent ankle pain due to scar formation may lead to impingement. Untreated ankle sprain may also cause instability in ankle joint leading to frequent give ways and difficulty in walking specially on uneven surfaces.
- + Treatment
-
The treatment of a sprained ankle is solely depended upon the severity level.
Most of the minor ankle sprains can be treated by simple home remedies involving RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). Wearing braces to support the ankle, using elastic bandages to wrap the ankle, taking pain killers to relieve the pain and taping the ankle also helps. After the initial acute period, rehabilitation under trained physiotherapist is important for getting back to sports or dance activities. If the pain persists beyond 5-7 days or there is inability to weight bear immediately after injury, it may be more sinister than a simple ankle sprain and hence consultation with a specialist is deemed necessary for early recovery and to prevent any damages in the future.
In chronic or neglected cases with impingement or instability, many a times surgery may be needed to clear the ankle joint using key hole surgery as well as reconstructing the torn ligaments.
Dr Anuj Chawla has years of experience in managing ankle sprains non operatively. He is also a trained ankle arthroscopy (key-hole) surgeon and is very proficient in reconstructing torn ligaments using small incision surgery.
