What is a Sprained Ankle?

What is a Sprained Ankle? A sprained ankle occurs when your ankle ligaments are overstretched. Ankle sprains vary in their severity, from mild “twisted ankle” or “rolled ankle” sprain through to severe complete ligament ruptures, avulsion fractures or broken bones.

What Causes a Sprained Ankle? Ankle sprains can occur simply by rolling your ankle on some unstable ground. Common examples of this occur when awkwardly planting your foot when running, landing unbalanced from a jump or stepping onto an irregular surface.

What are the Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle? A history of your ankle rolling is the key ingredient to suspecting a sprained ankle. At the time of the injury you may hear a popping or cracking sound and will notice swelling, bruising and ankle pain. Lateral or medial ligament sprains are usually acutely tender over the injured ligament.

How is a Sprained Ankle Diagnosed? Your physiotherapist is an expert in the assessment and diagnosis of ankle sprains. Your history and a thorough clinical examination will determine the severity of your sprained ankle.If required, you may be referred for a X-ray, CT scan or MRI to confirm or exclude specific ligament or bone injuries.

  How is a Sprained Ankle Diagnosed? Your physiotherapist is an expert in the assessment and diagnosis of ankle sprains. Your history and a thorough clinical examination will determine the severity of your sprained ankle.

If required, you may be referred for a X-ray, CT scan or MRI to confirm or exclude specific ligament or bone injuries.

Physiotherapy Treatment AimsInjury Protection, Pain Relief & Control

InflammationRegain Full Range of MotionStrengthen your Ankle and Calf MusclesRestore Joint Proprioception & BalanceRestore Normal FunctionSpeed & AgilitySport-Specific SkillsGraduated TrainingReturn to Competition

Sprained Ankle Treatment Progressions

There is no specific time frame for when to progress from each stage to the next. Your injury rehabilitation will be determined by many factors during your physiotherapist’s clinical assessment. You’ll find that in most cases, your physiotherapist will seamlessly progress between the rehabilitation phases as your clinical assessment and function improves.

Phase 1: Injury Protection: Pain Relief & Control InflammationPhase 2: Regain Full Range of MotionPhase 3: Restore Muscle StrengthPhase 4: Restore High Speed, Power, Proprioception and AgilityPhase 5: Return to Sport

What Results Should You Expect?

There is no specific time frame that sprained ankle recover. While we do know that the ligaments themselves will take at least six weeks to heal, your muscle strength, range of motion, proprioception and return to function can vary considerably. Here’s some general guidelines.

Grade 1 – MildGrade 2 – ModerateGrade 3 – Severe

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URL:-www.metrophysio.co.uk