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Ankle Sprain
The ankle is the most often injured joint in the body, and the ankle sprain is the most common injury which leads to the most common cause of chronic ankle pain. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “More than 11 million visits were made to physicians’ offices in 2003 because of foot, toe and ankle problems, including more than 2 million visits for ankle sprains and strains and more than 800,000 visits for ankle fractures.
A sprained ankle is most always an inversion type sprain, meaning the ankle rolls to the outside.
The lateral ligaments of the ankle are injured more often because they are more vulnerable and weaker than the medial ligaments. The mechanism of injury also plays a key role in which ligaments are damaged. The most common lateral ligaments that are injured are the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament. In severe cases the distal portion of the fibula may have an avulsion fracture.Causes of ankle sprains:
Anything that causes a sudden inversion/lateral rolling of the ankle joint; for instance, walking on an uneven surface or jumping and landing on someone else’s foot. There are a number of factors that can predispose an individual to ankle sprains:
Poor rehabilitation of previous ankle injuries
Poor proprioception (balance and stability)
Weak muscles
Chronic connective tissue injuriesTypes of ankle sprains:
Ankle sprains are generally classified as to how severe the injury is:
First degree ankle sprain
Mild stretching or tearing of the ligaments
Little to mild pain
Some edema/swelling
Some joint stiffness
Small to none functional lossSecond degree ankle sprain
More severe stretching and tearing of the ligaments
Moderate to severe pain
Swelling present
Stiffness present
Moderate joint instabilityThird degree ankle sprain
Complete ligament rupture
Severe pain
Severe swelling
Loss of joint function
Major instability of the joint
