If you read many sports headlines, you know that ankle sprains are all over the place. NBA star Dwayne Wade suffered a mild sprain several weeks ago, and there were over 620 foot and ankle injuries in the 2004 Athens Olympics-many of which were sprains. The best, most coordinated athletes in the world suffer from ankle sprains, but they plague the rest of us as well.

A “sprain” is a stretching or a tearing of ligaments around a joint, and the ankle is the most commonly sprained joint in the body. The majority of sprains are “inversion-type” in which the ankle rolls inward, thus stretching the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. In more serious cases, however, even the muscle tendons can be stretched or torn.

Several factors can predispose an ankle to sprains. Weak muscles, poor rehab from a prior sprain, and a diminished sense of position are all common causes. Sprains range in their severity from 1^st degree which includes mild stretching and swelling to 3^rd degree which involves the complete rupture of a ligament and excruciating pain. Regardless of their degree, ankle sprains should be treated as soon as possible to promote a better outcome and minimize long-term pain and instability. A good pneumonic to remember is R.I.C.E. which stands for Rest the ankle, Ice it for 15-20 minutes several times per day, Compress it with wraps or bandages, and Elevate the ankle above the level of the heart as much as possible for 48 hours. Be careful not to apply ice directly to elderly individuals or those with blood-flow problems.

2^nd and 3^rd degree ankle sprains should receive professional treatment immediately. Your podiatrist can perform X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and rule out an avulsion injury which is a fracture of the ligament’s attachment site to bone. He or she can also screen for potential causes of long-term future pain such as fractures, impingements, or bony fragments within the joint.

There are also several steps you can take to prevent your ankle from re-spraining. Continue to stretch your calf muscles-particularly on the affected leg-and wear an ankle brace or strapping device. Balancing exercises are good if tolerable. A wedge can also be placed in your shoe to prevent your ankle from tipping over. Finally, for individuals with chronic ankle sprains, surgery is available to tighten the ligaments and shift the tendons in order to stabilize your foot.

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ankle hurt? check this out

Ankle Pain/Sprains:

Chronic ankle pain can cause a severe limitation in daily activities as well as sport activities. Ankle pain can be caused by a wide variety of problems, however more commonly it is due to ankle instability. The ankle as with most joints is stabilized and held in place by a myriad of soft tissue structures including ligaments and tendons. When these ligaments or tendons become stretched or strained by repetitive motions or injury, they do not perform optimally and allow the ankle joint to become unstable. The loosened tendons and ligaments allow increased motion in all directions across the ankle joint and may even allow the ankle joint to become temporarily dislocated during activity. This temporary dislocation of the ankle joint is known as an ankle sprain. Multiple ankle sprains in an individual are an indication that the ankle joint is very unstable and no longer functions appropriately. This requires treatment to rebalance and stabilize the ankle.

Treatments vary and can range from conservative non-surgical techniques to surgical repair of ankle ligaments or tendons. A common non-surgical intervention involves ankle bracing or strapping. An ankle brace or strap may be applied to the ankle during periods of increased activity and functions as a bolster that supports the ankle and allows the joint to function correctly.

Another conservative treatment method may include the use of arch supports that are inserted into the patient‘s shoe, and offer stability to the ankle by providing a stable platform and support for the foot. Arch supports are available in generic type devices which are made to fit a variety of individuals or in a custom device that is tailored to fit the specific individual.

Ankle braces and arch supports may also be used in combination to produce a superior result than either treatment alone and when coupled with physical therapy can be quite effective.

Bruce Werber DPM, FACFAS
www.arizonafeet.com