Ankle Sprains

The ankle joint is composed of many ligaments that provide support to stabilize the bones of the foot. When the ankle is forced beyond its normal range of motion (ie. rolling over the ankle), the ligaments that support the ankle can become stretched and damaged. These injuries are common in sports such as tennis, basketball and soccer but also occur during everyday activities such as stepping down from a curb. Symptoms often include swelling, pain, skin discolouration (bruising), warmth, redness, decreased movement, and difficulty weight bearing (ie.walking).

There are three types of ankle sprains. The most common of these (90%) is the Inversion (lateral) ankle sprain which involves damage to the ligaments to the outside part of the ankle. The most common ligament injured is the anterior talofibular ligament. Eversion (medial) ankle sprains are much less common and involve damage to the ligament on the inside part of the ankle called the deltoid ligament. High ankle sprains occur when the leg it forcefully twisted which causes damage to the ligaments above the ankle joint which help to stabilize the bones of the lower leg. Al of these injuries can be described as being Grade 1 (stretching but no tearing), Grade 2 (partial tearing) or Grade 3 (complete tearing with instability).

Treatment for these injuries can include the use of a walking boot, compression therapy, ice therapy, crutches, ultrasound, acupuncture, strength/endurance training for the ankle, flexibility to the legs and ankle, correcting foot posture (flat feet), balance/proprioception training.