Ankle sprain
Ankle sprain is an injury, partial or complete rupture of one or more ligaments in this area. The damage most often occurs on the outer side of the ankle.
The severity of such an injury is determined by the number of damaged tendons and torn fibers of each tendon.
The difference between ankle ligament sprain and other sprains is that in this case, muscle rupture does not occur, only the ligaments are injured.
Causes of ankle sprain
The typical mechanism of ankle sprain is to roll the foot outward or inward, most often in the cold season on slippery sidewalks, icy steps or platforms. Stretching can occur when walking on a curved surface, wearing uncomfortable shoes, awkward movements, or even failing landings after jumping. Ankle injuries often occur during sports activities.
Sometimes a sprain occurs due to the fact that a person has naturally weak tendons in the ankle joint.
Symptoms of ankle sprain
There are three degrees of severity of damage to the ankle ligaments.
The first degree is characterized by damage or rupture of several fibers of the ligament. The victim is disturbed by mild pain when walking, the ligament is felt.
The second degree is a partial rupture of the ligament. In this case, a symptom of the injury is the spread of edema to the outer and front surfaces of the foot. Disturbed by severe pain, especially in the area of the ligament tear. They intensify when walking, so movement in the ankle joint is limited due to pain.
With the first and second degrees of damage to the ankle ligaments, deviations are not noticeable on X-ray images.
The third degree is a rupture of the ligament or even separation from the place of attachment to the joint. The patient complains of severe pain when trying to step on the injured leg. Swelling, edema and hemorrhage spread over the surface of the foot, even the plantar part. The walking function is painful and very difficult. Instability appears in the joint. The x-ray may show pieces of bone that come off along with the ligament.
Ankle sprain treatment
Ankle injury should receive special medical attention for several reasons. First, delayed treatment can cause chronic instability of the ankle joint. Secondly, with a partial rupture of the tendons, it is possible to develop damage to the foot, which at first will go unnoticed, but in the future it will significantly impede movement. Third, sprains can be accompanied by more serious injury or serious complications (for example, bone destruction). Therefore, for the treatment to be effective, the damaged ankle ligaments must be repaired immediately after injury.
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As a first aid for such an injury, it is necessary to apply a tight pressure bandage, and on top of it - ice wrapped in a thin towel. You need to apply cold for no more than 15 minutes, and then after an hour break, repeat the procedure again. This will help reduce swelling and stop bleeding at the tear site.
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In case of first degree ankle ligament injuries, the patient wears such a bandage for up to two weeks. But after two or three days from the moment of injury, physiotherapy is prescribed: ozokerite, alternating magnetic field, paraffin, baths, massage. By the end of the second week, recovery begins.
The second and third degrees of sprain are usually very painful, so the patient will first need pain relief. Most often, a solution of novocaine is used, which is injected into the injured area.
For any complexity of damage to the ankle ligaments, a sparing mode of physical activity is recommended: walk less, strain the affected leg less. Rest is necessary only in the first couple of days after the injury.
It is worth paying attention to another important detail of the treatment: the elevated position of the ankle will reduce pain and swelling during sprains. It will be possible to raise the leg above the level of the heart with the help of chairs, pillows and other improvised items.
On the second or fourth day of the disease (depending on the severity of the injury), start physiotherapy exercises. As warm-up exercises, you can use flexion, extension, rotation of the foot in different directions. Stop stretching the joint if it causes pain.
It is still recommended to consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs that will reduce pain and inflammation, as well as select the appropriate rehabilitation course that will speed up the healing process and restore the mobility of the ankle joint.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
