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All About Ankle
Sprains |
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by: Purvi Sheth,
MPT |
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Chances are at one time or another, you've sprained
your ankle. If you've made it through your life so far without
one, then consider yourself lucky. However, whether you've
experienced one or not, it's an injury everyone should have an
understanding of. You never know when your next
step may be a wrong one.
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What is a sprain
anyway? |
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When you sprain your ankle, you actually are injuring the
ligaments that hold the ankle joint together, stretching them
further than they normally would, or in some cases tearing the
ligaments.
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| Anatomy
of the
Ankle
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The
ankle joint or the mortise joint is formed by three bones: the talus
(the dome of the ankle), the tibia and the fibula (the
bones that make up the lower half of the leg). The joint is held
together by three strong ligaments on the outside of the ankle: the anterior
talofibular ligament, the posterior talofibular ligament,
and the calcaneofibular ligament; and one very strong
ligament on the inside of the ankle: the deltoid ligament.
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How exactly
can you
injure the
ligaments?
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Spraining your ankle can
occur
when the foot rolls inward or outward, resulting
in damage to the ligaments on the respective sides.
This is commonly known as "twisting" your ankle.
It's
easy to do this while stepping off a curb or walking on an uneven surface,
especially if you are wearing
high-heeled shoes. Twisting your ankle in this fashion typically
rolls your foot inward, causing damage to ligaments on the outside of the ankle.
The anterior talofibular ligament is the most commonly sprained
ligament in the ankle and probably the most commonly sprained
ligament in the body.
It is possible to
"twist" your ankle inward, injuring the deltoid
ligament, but it is less common. Also, the deltoid ligament rarely tears; more often it remains
intact but will break away from the tibia, along with a bone
fragment still attached to the ligament.
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| Severity
of
a
Sprain |
| Ankle
sprains are categorized into 3 grades, depending on the severity. |
- Grade I: Some stretching and possibility of slight
tearing. Little or no instability of the joint. Mild
pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Grade
II: Some
tearing of the ligaments and moderate instability of the ankle
joint. Moderate to severe pain, swelling and joint stiffness.
- Grade
III:
total rupture
of ligament(s) and severe instability of the joint. Severe
pain and swelling, causing extreme joint stiffness.
Grade III sprain will probably require immobilization for 1-3
weeks. and surgical repair or reconstruction may be necessary.
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| Immediate
Ankle Sprain
Management |
| The best immediate treatment is RICE. You need to limit internal
bleeding and swelling and if the sprain is severe, splint the ankle.
You may need crutches to relieve stress and pain during ambulation.
RICE:
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- Rest
your ankle immediately. This can minimize swelling and help you
walk sooner.
- Ice your ankle until swelling subsides. Ice
constricts blood vessels and helps reduce swelling. Fill a
plastic bag with ice or use a bag of frozen vegetables. Ice
for 15-20 minutes, 3-5 times per day.
- Compress the ankle between icings with an elastic bandage
(you can find them
at your local pharmacy). This helps reduce the swelling
and bruising.
- Elevate the ankle so it is above the level of your heart.
Use pillows while sleeping or watching television.
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| What
should you
do if
you sprain
your ankle |
- See
your doctor.
It can be difficult to differentiate between a sprain
and a fracture. For example, if
the ankle is very swollen, it may be just a bad sprain, however,
very little inflammation can actually indicate a fracture.
An x-ray should be taken to determine this.
- Physical
Therapy. The doctor will most likely give you a prescription for physical
therapy to rehabilitate your ankle to get you back on your feet
as soon as possible.
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What
can you
do
to
help
prevent
future
injuries?
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-
Maintain
good range of motion, strength, and balance. The
exercises listed at the end of the article will help maintain
all 3 of these.
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Wear
an ankle brace. If you play sports or participate in other
recreational activities, it will help
stabilize and support the joint.
Unfortunately, once
you
have a sprained your ankle, you are more susceptible to sprain the
ankle again and again, especially if it is left untreated.
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Ankle Exercises
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