The Sprained Ankle – Sports most common Injury
The sprained ankle is the most common type of athletic injury with research suggesting that ankle sprains account for
15-30% of all sports injuries, it is also the most frequently re-injured. Although it is a widespread sporting injury, it regularly occurs during everyday activities.
A thorough subjective and objective examination from a physiotherapist is usually sufficient to diagnose a sprained ankle. It is important to rule out the possibility of a fracture and then the severity of the sprain may be graded:
Grade 1 Sprain: Slight stretching and some damage to the fibres of the ligament.
Grade 2 Sprain: Partial tearing of the ligament. If the ankle joint is examined and moved in certain ways, abnormal laxity of the ankle joint occurs.
Grade 3 Sprain: Complete tear of the ligament. Gross instability occurs.
In addition to the ligament damage in ankle sprains, there may also be associated damage to tendons, the joint capsules, the bones, the cartilages, the nerves or other soft tissues. A severely sprained ankle may result in complete or almost complete rupture of the ligaments and may be associated with dislocations and fractures of the ankle bones including avulsion fracture and/or Osteochondral lesions.
The severity of the ankle sprain is important to establish as this will indicate a time frame of when the injured person can return to sport or normal activity. Based on the diagnosis the physiotherapist will establish a treatment and rehabilitation plan.
Treatment may comprise some of the following:
- Advice regarding RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
- Soft tissue massage
- Joint mobilisation
- Electrical therapy
- Range of motion (ROM) exercises
- Strength training
- Gait training
- Balance/Proprioceptive training
- Taping
- Activity modification advice
- Return to activity program
Without proper treatment for an ankle sprain there can be long-term negative effects such as chronic instability, decreased range of motion and pain. Studies show that up to 80% of people who sprain an ankle will re-sprain it and this is normally due to inadequate rehabilitation.
Appropriate physiotherapy intervention and rehabilitation is essential to help reduce pain, increase range of motion as well as minimise the risk of future recurrent sprains.
Early Physiotherapy assessment and intervention is the most important part in helping these patients achieve the best and fastest results possible. If you see this injury with any of your patients, please think of referring to us so that we can assist you in getting the best results possible for your patients.
