Ankle Sprain
We have all had one - What Happened?
Ankle Sprain Anatomy |
A sprain is defined as partial tearing of a ligament. Ligaments attached bone to bone and provide
our skeletal system stability. When the
ankle is maximally inverted, when someone "rolls their ankle," the
ligaments are stretched maximally. One
of 2 things will happen, either partial tearing of the ligaments, or indicates
the ligaments are strong, the distal fibula will break. If the force is great enough, the distal
fibula will break and the medial deltoid ligament will pull strongly enough to
fracture the medial malleolus. Often
this injury, called bimalleolar ankle fracture, require surgical repair.
Ankle sprains are graded on a scale of 1-3. This refers to the severity of partial
tearing of the ligament. Generally, grade
1 is able to be "walked off," and involves less than 25% of the
ligament. Grade 2 requires some
protected weightbearing with crutches and involves up to 50% of the ligament. Grade 3, involves all of the ligaments being
torn and the ankle will be unstable.
Sometimes a pop or snap was heard at time of injury. It is very difficult to determine if there is
an ankle fracture or sprain based on symptoms and a x-ray is required. Once a fracture is ruled out, early
rehabilitation is essential for return to function
Ankle pain, swelling, bruising are the most common symptoms
after an ankle sprain. Walking may be
difficult but is encouraged as early as possible. The traditional RICE treatment should be
started initially. Rice stands for rest-ice-compression-elevation. I like to add a “N” to the end standing for
NSAIDs – RICEN.
The initial treatment can be completed at home, physical
therapy is definitely helpful because of their knowledge, ability is, equipment
that the average person does not have available to them. And important, often overlooked aspect of
rehabilitation is massage. Initially, in
combination with elevation, light massage can help with edema and pain
control. Edema can slow down the healing
process and removing it will improve healing.
After 7 days or so, deeper techniques can be implemented to increase
blood flow. After all, the foot and
ankle is farthest from the heart, less blood supply means slower healing.
Cross
friction massage is beneficial to break up scar tissue, increased blood
flow to the ligament. This should be
done while the ligament is in a stretched position. Pressure should be within limits of
pain. The movement should be across the
tendon, back and forth like plucking a guitar string. It will be uncomfortable but should not cause
guarding. Treatment length is advised to
be 5 or 10 min. long. Every other day
versus every day is better for recovery.
If there is increased swelling, skip the next treatment to allow for the
edema to resolve.
Bracing may be required to protect the ligament once
returning to sport or activity. Biking
is a great initial activity because there is no lateral movements to the
ankle. Cutting sports should be the last
activity to return. Once you are able to
walk in a straight line without pain, try jogging. If able to jog, tried jumping and/or cutting
activities. Once you're able to pass
these "functional" activities, he may return to her activity level.
It is very common for ankle swelling to persist for a couple
of months. Continue to treat
conservatively with ice, anti-inflammatories, elevation. Massage may be continued as needed.
There is essential to seek orthopaedic care immediately
after the injury to rule out a fracture because this is very difficult to know
without an x-ray. However, it you're
able to walk immediately after and his symptoms resolved after a couple of
days, conservative treatment should be adequate. It is any concern, please see your orthopaedic doctor.