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Ankle Sprains
Symptoms & Pathologies

 

 


Ankle 1Grade 1 Sprain: An injury without macroscopic tears. No mechanical instability is noted. Pain and tenderness is minimal.
Grade 2 Sprain: A partial tear. Moderate pain and tenderness is present. Mild to moderate joint instability may be present.
Grade 3 Sprain: A complete tear. Severe pain and tenderness, inability to bear weight, and significant joint instability are noted.

Definition Ankle sprain: A common musculoskeletal injury in which the ligaments of the ankle are strained, or partially/completely torn due to sudden over stretching. This most often occurs when the ankle is suddenly "twisted" in a sports activity or by stepping off an uneven surface.

 

 

Cause: 
Most ankle sprains are eversion sprains, as the ankle rolls outwards, as opposed to inversion sprains, where the ankle rolls inwards. Any sport that involves serious cutting of the ankles makes this injury very common, such as basketball, soccer, tennis etc. Even when walking in high heels the ankle will naturally most commonly want to roll outwards. (See picture)

Ankle Inversion

Symptoms:

  1. Inability to bear weight immediately after injury
  2. Swelling
  3. Throbbing sensation
  4. Significantly decreased range of motion

Treatment:  R.I.C.E – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. The best first step to this injury before you can see a doctor of physical therapist. Depending on the severity of the sprain, you might or might not even be able to walk without tremendous pain, so the best thing to do is stay off of the injury as much as possible, and see a doctor as soon as possible so they can evaluate the severity. Once in physical therapy, common first stages of treatment are getting your basic range of motion back using a resistance band, strengthening the surrounding muscles such as the soleus, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and extensor digitorum longus. The next stage in therapy is balance. Basic motor skills are lost when muscle groups are weakened or not used for a lengthened period of time, so it is crucial to strengthen them. The third stage in physical therapy is basic cutting and motion to get the ankle used to the stress of everyday activity and or sports. Small jumping hurdles and the agility ladder are used to represent the motions of running, jumping, and cutting to help get you back up to speed.
                         
           

Author:
Cameron Veres, Lake Washington High School
Matt Sato, PT, DPT