Ankle Sprain

One of the most common sports injuries that will often go untreated is an ankle sprain. A lot of people don’t realise that the lack of appropriate treatment and management can lead to reoccurring injuries which can also create chronic ankle pain and instability.

What is an ankle sprain?

On the outside of the ankle there are three major ligaments. The most common form of an ankle sprain is an inversion sprain. This type of sprain occurs when you “roll” your ankle. Putting weight on the foot while in this rolled position can stretch and/or tear any of those ligaments. The role of ligaments is to maintain stability of a joint through their connections from bone to bone. Pushing a joint beyond its normal range of motion can lead to tearing of the ligament.

What should you do if this injury occurs?

If you suspect an ankle sprain you should take immediate measure to follow the RICE principle; rest, ice, compression and elevation. RICE can help to prevent excessive swelling and facility the rehabilitation process. When using ice wrap the ice in a damp towel. When trying to elevate the ankle, try to elevate it above the heart as much as possible. It is important to remember that in the acute stage of a ligament sprain it is important to rest (R).

A lot of people think that their ankle is healing when the pain goes away. As the swelling subsides, the pressure on the pain nerve endings decreases and the pain goes away. This does not mean that the ankle is better. The ankle will still be injured and unstable.

Treatment

It is important to receive the proper treatment so that the ankle can heal properly, avoiding chronic pain and re-injury. A treatment plan put together for you by someone such as a Chiropractor may include taping, range of motion exercises, muscle strengthening, mobilisation. It is important to seek treatment asap (within a couple of days).

When an ankle is sprained, the receptors are damaged and the connection can be diminished. It is therefore important to have the correct professional treatment to restore this proprioceptive ability. Balance/proprioception is essential to recovery of ligament injuries.

If you find yourself with an ankle sprain or are questioning if you have received the proper care for an injury in the past, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

0409712075 or felicity.chiro@gmail.com

Author: Dr Felicity Ede