ANKLESPRAINS
Theanklejointismadeupoffourbonesshapedtomake
thejointstable.Increasedstabilityofthejointisprovided
bytheligaments,whicharebandsofstrongfibroustissue
thatguidemovementandpreventthejointfrommoving
toomuch.
Anklejointsarethelinkbetweenyourbodyandtheground.Ifyou“roll”yourankleasthefoothits
theground,theligamentsmaybecomesprained.Asprainoccurswhentheligamentsare
overstretched,causingligamentfibresandsmallbloodvesselstotear.Immediatelypainfuland
swollen,theinjurycanbecomechronicifnotmanagedproperly.Anotherimportantpointisthat
theseligamentsprovidefeedbacktoyourbrainonthepositionofyourfootinspace,andthismust
beretrained.Physiotherapistsassessyourankletodeterminetheseverityofthedamage,provide
treatmentwhichpromoteshealingandrecovery.Iftheankleistreatedquicklyandproperly,the
anklewillhealwellandallowasafereturntoactivity.
Afirstdegreesprainisthemostcommonwiththeligamentsof
theanklebeingstretched,nottorn.Althoughtender,thereis
verylittleswellingandinstability.Withpropermanagement
thepersonisusuallybacktoactivityinacoupleofweeks.
Theseconddegreesprainisthemostcommon.Theankle
ligamentsarepartiallytorn,resultinginmoresignificant
swellingandpain(withpossiblebruising).Recoveryusually
takes3-6weekswithpropertreatment,andifnotmanaged
properly,thesearetheinjuriesthatbecomechronic.
Thirddegreeanklesprainsarethemostsevere,involvinga
completetearoftheligaments.Althoughsevere,these
injuriesusuallydonotrequiresurgery.However,thesemay
requireimmobilizationandtakeaslongas3monthsintotalto
rehabilitate.
AnkleSprainTreatment
STAGE1(UPTO72HOURS):
TheprimarygoalofthisstageistoreducepainandinflammationfollowingtheRICEconcept:
R–RESTtheaffectedanklebyavoidingactivitiesthatcausesharppain.Thiscouldincludea
braceandcrutchesifnecessary.
I–ICEtheankle(icepack)duringthedayfor10minuteseveryhourforthefirst24hours,and
then3-4timesperdayoverthenextfewdays.
C–Compressionoftheanklewillhelplimitswelling.Atensorbandageisusuallyeffective,but
yourphysiotherapistmayadviseyouonamoreeffectivesupport
E–Elevateyouranklewheneverpossible.
Yourphysicianmayprescribemedicationtoalleviatepainandhelpreducetheswelling.An
assessmentbyaphysiotherapistatthisstageisrecommendedtohelpyoudeterminethelevel
ofdamageanddevelopaneffectivetreatmentplan.
STAGE2(FIRSTWEEK):
Continuewithrelativerestoftheinjuredankleuntilthepainandswellingaredecreasingin
nature.Youcanwalkontheankleassoonasitfeelscomfortabletodoso.Crutchescanbe
usedforpartialsupportduringthisphase,andfurthersupportmayberequiredfromtapeora
brace.Yourphysiotherapistwillguideyouthroughtheprocessofstartingtorecoverfromthe
damageincludingexercisesyoucandoathome.
STAGE3(10DAYS–6WEEKS):
Itisimportanttoregainfullrangeofmotion,strengthandbalanceinthisphase.Eachinjuryis
different,soyourphysiotherapistwilldesignapersonalizedprogramtomaximiseyourrecovery.
Thismayincludesportspecificexercisetoreturntojumping,runningonacourt,etc.Some
injuriesmayrequireaprotectivebracetoreturntosportinitially.