How Do I Treat an Ankle Sprain?
Ankle sprains can stop you playing sports for weeks at a time and if poorly treated, leave you with ankle problems for the rest of your life.
There are different types of ankle sprains that can occur and the best treatment for each type is slightly different Ankle Problems
Low Ankle (Inversion) Sprain
This type of ankle sprain occurs when the foot and ankle are forced to rapidly roll outwards and downwards.
With this type of sprain the three small ligaments on the outside of the ankle are easliy damaged.
These sprains are more common in sports with rapid changes in direction and side-to-side movements like netball and tennis.
The grading of low ankle sprains is determined by the amount of damage that has occurred.
High Ankle (Eversion) Sprain
This type of sprain ooccurs when the foot is forced into a rolled-in or pronated position.
With this type of sprain, the strong group of ligament about the inside of the ankle and the structure that stabilise the two leg bones during walking and running (the syndesmosis) can be damaged.
These are more common in sports like football and rugby where the chance of another player landing on your planted foot and rolling the ankle can occur.
This type of ankle sprain can take up to twice as long to heal as a low ankle sprain.
There are several ways to treat ankle pain
How to Treat an Ankle Sprain
Initial treatment of any musculo-skeletal injury should follow the basic principle of POLICE:
- Protect the ankle from further damage
- Off-Load the damaged tissue structures
- Ice the area to reduce heat with inflammation
- Compression to help reduce swelling and immobilise the ankle
- Elevation to reduce swelling
An x-ray to rule out a fracture is recommended if:
You cannot bear weight on the foot immediately and in the emergency department for 4 steps.
If there is focused bone pain on the tip of the furthest 6cm of the back of leither eg bone
Focused one pain on the outside of the middle of the foot.
Different Sprains Need Different Treatments
The the mechanism of injury for high and low ankle sprains Treating Ankle Sprains are different, they need to be treated differently.
Low ankle sprains needs to be immobilised for the first few days with the foot help in a rolled in position to reduce the pulling stress on the ankle ligaments.
You should walk on this injury as much as pain allows.
High ankle sprains should also be immobilised initially but you should not weight-bear on this ankle injury as walking greatly increases the stress on the damaged ligaments.
Badly sprained ankle
Prevent Long Term Ankle Problems With the Right Treatment Early
In order to prevent long term joint pain and instability, appropriately timed and structured rehabilitation by a Podiatrist needs to include:
- Range of motion exercises (passive and active)
- Strength and neuro-motor re-training
- Management of biomechanical risk factors
- Correct footwear
- A gradual return to activity and long term (6-12 months!) protection of the joint with splints or taping
Don’t underestimate the possible long-term consequences of a poorly managed ankle sprain.
The scientific literature agrees that the biggest risk factor for having an ankle sprain is a history of ankle sprain in the last 12 months.
If you have sprained your ankle, get help from the foot and ankle specialists at Complete Podiatry.
Contact us on 8330 0004 or Book Online
I would love to talk to you about how we can help you build an amazing life from the feet up.
Anthony Robinson
Director of Complete Podiatry