Ankle sprain – what to do? Or do nothing?

Who hasn’t sprained an ankle on an uneven pavement or a protruding root? It is estimated that ankle sprain is the most common injury in the lower limb. However, most cases are neglected … and the lack of the correct treatment process often reminds about itself in the near future!

 SHORT ANATOMY ANKLE

The ankle joint is divided into two cooperating joints giving it high mobility:

1. upper ankle joint, i.e. the ankle joint responsible for bending and straightening the foot
2. lower ankle joint, i.e. the ankle-heel-boat joint is responsible for inversion and eversion of the rate. The ankle joint is formed by bone-ligament-tendon structures. This means that it is characterised by tremendous strength and stability.

WHICH MECHANISMS LEAD TO ANKLE JOINT DAMAGE?

1. injury of inverse origin – a situation in which the toe is pointing upwards (the adduction-inversion mechanism). Most often there is damage to the joint capsule of the ligaments on the side of the joint.
2. eversion trauma – a situation in which the V toe of the foot points upward (the abduction-conversion mechanism). Most often the joint capsule and ligaments on the medial side of the joint are damaged.

WHAT ARE THE GRADES OF ANKLE JOINT DAMAGE?

I degree – no clear symptoms, low or moderate pain and swelling
II degree – partial damage to the ligament apparatus, low or moderate joint instability, moderate or severe pain and swelling, visible lateral ankle hematoma spreading towards the Achilles tendon and metatarsus
III degree – complete ligament damage, noticeable joint instability, significant pain and swelling, extensive hematoma

AND WHAT’S NEXT?

Of course, treatment will depend on the degree of joint damage, but also on the patient’s “initial fitness level”, the level and type of physical activity and the frequency of recurrence of sprains.

In addition to pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy is necessary to regain fitness!

A history of ankle injury entails a functional problem, which is the habitual occurrence of this type of injury.

Most people with not very noticeable instability neglect the further treatment process. Physiotherapy focuses on functional training of the foot and shin muscles, which in the future will protect and eliminate threats that can lead to a renewed injury. It is also important to regain the full range of joint movement. For this manual therapy and a training plan tailored to the individual patient are used.

Unfortunately, in most cases of people not associated with sport, it looks like that patients implement pharmacotherapy, because it finally hurts and there is inflammation. However, the treatment ends with the fact that for a time before the swelling goes down and the severe pain ceases, the injured person lies down and does nothing…

Therefore, I hope that after reading this article 
I was able to increase your awareness and you'll know 
where to go after the suffering ankle injury. 
We invite you, of course, after previous pictorial diagnostics,
and in the event of widespread damage, also medical consultation.