Ankle Sprains
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains occur when the ankle joint is excessively strained, resulting in injury or damage to the connective tissues. This condition often occurs during sports activities or due to factors such as falls or slips. As a result, ankle sprains can lead to the stretching or tearing of the ligaments that provide stability to the ankle joint. Symptoms of ankle sprains include pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, and restricted movement. Treatment typically begins with home remedies such as ice application, rest, compression, and elevation. However, severe sprains may require surgical intervention. Failure to treat a sprain properly, recurrent sprains, or engaging in sports activities immediately after the sprain can lead to various complications. Some complications associated with ankle sprains include: Chronic ankle pain Chronic ankle joint instability Arthritis in the ankle joint
What are the Symptoms of Ankle Sprains?
- Feeling or hearing a pop or snap during the injury
- Severe pain that prevents weight-bearing on the foot
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Restricted movement
The symptoms mentioned above are the most common indicators of an ankle sprain.
What are the Risk Factors?
- Previous ankle injuries
- Muscle strength imbalances
- Loss of balance
- Sports participation
- Uneven surfaces
- Inappropriate footwear
How is Ankle Sprain Diagnosed?
The diagnosis is made based on the individual’s history and physical examination findings. If the injury is severe, imaging techniques such as ankle X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or ultrasound may be used.
Treatment Methods What to do in the acute phase:
- Rest
- Ice application
- Compression bandage
- Elevation
- Taking prescribed medications under the guidance of a doctor
- Gradual weight-bearing and exercises as tolerated
The most crucial aspect of treatment is identifying the risk factor that caused the injury. However, a rehabilitation program should be established to prevent re-injury.
Precautions
- Warm-up exercises before exercising and cool-down exercises after exercising should be performed.
- Choose appropriate footwear.
- Choose suitable surfaces.
- Maintain ankle muscle strength balance.