An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more of the ankle ligaments. There are many ligaments that help stabilize the ankle which involve 3 major bones: fibula, tibia and talus. These ligaments form a band like structure to help support the ankle joint.
Causes:
Most ankle sprains occur on the outside (lateral side) of the ankle after a twisting motion or a fall, causing the foot to move inward (inversion).
Other causes can be a blunt force or trauma which can cause the ankle joint to dislocate or tearing the ankle ligaments. In addition, many ankle sprains may occur without any noticeable fall or twisting motion.
In some cases, patients may be born with ligamentous laxity causing the ankle ligaments to stretch more than normal causing the ankle joint to be less stable.
Symptoms:
Soreness, Swelling, Stiffness in the Joint, Bruising and Difficulty Walking.
Treatment:
Treatment is critical to prevent further damage of the ankle joint which is a result of instability. Many types of treatment have been described for acute lateral ankle ligament injuries: cast immobilization, functional treatment, acute operative repair, and advanced laser therapy. Untreated injuries can lead to long term chronic ankle pain and arthritis. Rehabilitation of minor ankle sprains needs to be performed soon after the initial injury to restore strength and stability. A proper treatment regimen is vital to restore quality of life. Also, we offer advanced laser therapy , used by many professional athletes, that is non-invasive and proven to get you back on your feet faster and pain free.
Diagnosis:
Is based on a history and physical exam of your symptoms. Imaging studies may also be incorporated by the foot and ankle surgeon to further help determine the severity of the injury.