Ankle ligament sprain

An ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments of the ankle joint, usually on the outside.

One or more ankle ligaments may be injured. Women are more at risk for ankle injuries.

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Causes of Ankle Sprains

What is a ligament? It is a cord that connects bones and fixes a joint. The severity of the injury depends on how many fibers are affected. Ligaments make the joint more stable. Traumatologists often encounter sprains of the ankle ligaments. Most cases of sprains are associated with injuries in everyday life.

Ankle sprains are most often the result of a careless turn. Injuries occur during competitions or when running on uneven surfaces, at work, in winter when falling on ice, when wearing high-heeled shoes. For many athletes: football players, tennis players, parachutists, this is a professional type of injury that they encounter more than once during their career. Severe sprains occur in the event of a careless landing on the feet. A person feels pain, the joint swells and it becomes difficult to walk.

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Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain

The signs of a sprain are very similar to a bruise. Therefore, it is important to see a traumatologist. When ligaments are damaged, pain and movement disorders are always more pronounced than with a bruise. Muscles always heal faster than ligaments because they are well supplied with blood. Sprains are often combined with other injuries.

An ankle sprain manifests itself as pain, bruising, stiffness of the ankle joint, swelling at the site of the sprain. Pain may increase gradually, and immediately after the injury may not be pronounced. A partial rupture of the tendon may also be accompanied by a foot injury, if treatment is not started in time, there may be problems with recovery from the injury. The doctor may prescribe an X-ray to clarify the diagnosis, exclude dislocation, fracture and other associated injuries to the ankle joint. Even if you are not bothered by severe pain in the ankle, consult a doctor, otherwise habitual instability of the ankle joint may occur.

If you see a lot of swelling when you tear a ligament, it may mean that a dislocation has occurred.

Ankle sprain in a child

Ankle sprains are rare in very young children. They are more common in older children due to their greater activity. Children with high arches, muscle imbalances, or limb length differences are at higher risk. At the initial stage of a sprain, the ligaments have not yet been completely torn, and the attachment site is usually slightly swollen. The second stage of a sprain is an incomplete rupture, with more pronounced swelling. Walking is difficult. And finally, the third stage is a ligament tear with a hematoma. Severe instability of the joint. The severity of the sprain is determined by a doctor using special tests.

The limb must be immobilized. The ankle joint is fixed by grasping the shin. The foot is abducted at an angle of 90 degrees.

The first two days the limb needs cold. In case of significant pain syndrome and hemorrhage, a puncture of the joint and application of a plaster cast are necessary. Sprains of ligaments in children are always easier than in adults, because they have higher elasticity and ability to recover.

Diagnosis of ankle sprains

A sprained ankle can be diagnosed by a traumatologist using palpation. To rule out a fracture, an X-ray of the ankle or an ultrasound may be prescribed.

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Treatment of ankle sprains

First aid consists of eliminating the compression of the swelling with shoes or socks. The limb should be placed on an elevation and fixed with a splint made from improvised materials. Wrap the joint with cotton wool, bandage it tightly, but not until it turns white or blue, of course - the blood flow in the limb should be free. Apply ice every 2 hours.

Ankle sprains are treated by resting the limb, applying cold, applying a pressure bandage, and physical therapy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used. Ointments effectively cope with sprains and the unpleasant symptoms associated with them. They have an analgesic effect, relieve inflammation and swelling. Cooling ointments are used immediately after the injury, and warming ointments are used during the rehabilitation period. Cooling ointments contain analgesics, menthol, and alcohol.

For example, to treat sprains, you can use menthol ointment. It contains menthol, distilled water, wax, and lanolin. It has a cooling effect. Apply a small strip of ointment to the injured area and rub in. Use several times a day until the pain and swelling disappear completely.

It is very helpful to go to the pool after the pain has subsided.

In any case, timely examination will be the key to successful treatment. For pain, ibuprofen is prescribed. The dosage for soft tissue injuries is 600 mg 2 times a day. A severe sprain of the foot ligaments can end even worse than a bone fracture. Before starting treatment of the ankle ligaments, the degree of their injury is always determined. In mild cases, it will be enough to apply an elastic bandage. In case of moderate injury, immobilization is required for up to 3-4 weeks. Without treatment, ligament injury can end in chronic instability of the ankle joint.

Ointments for ankle sprains

Ankle sprains are successfully treated with Bom Benge ointment. The active ingredients of the ointment are menthol and petroleum jelly. Bom Benge is an anti-inflammatory ointment. Apply it to the skin at the site of injury and rub in. Allergy to menthol is possible.

Voltaren Emulgel is a diclofenac ointment used for rheumatism and sprains, inflammatory diseases of the joints.

Gevkamen – contains menthol, mustard and eucalyptus oils. Cools and improves blood circulation in the affected area.

Deep Relief is a cooling ointment with ibuprofen for bruises and sprains.

Home Treatment for Ankle Sprains

An ankle sprain should be treated by resting it and securing it with a splint. Do not take a hot bath. Grate a raw potato and apply to the ankle. Dilute clay to the consistency of sour cream and apply to the sore spot. Apply a gruel of aloe leaves to the ankle. If the pain is severe, you can take Ketanov. The dosage of the drug is 1 tablet once every 8 hours. Do not take Ketanov for more than 3 days. May cause drowsiness, abdominal pain and diarrhea, dizziness and dry mouth. Contraindications: pregnancy, childhood, asthma, stomach ulcers, severe renal failure. Take with caution in case of heart failure.

Recovering from an Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain is an injury. Depending on the degree of sprain or rupture, the recovery period after it can last from 1 to 5 weeks.

The limb is fixed with a sock bandage or an orthosis with stiffening ribs. The damaged joint is lubricated with cooling ointments, such as heparin.

Recovery from injury includes a mandatory set of exercises that help restore muscle strength and avoid the development of serious complications, such as re-injury. Thermal and electrical procedures, massage are indicated. Massage improves tissue trophism and metabolic processes in the joint. A magnet and ozokerite are useful.

Exercises for ankle sprains

We begin performing exercise therapy on the 3rd-4th day after the injury.

1. Move your toes freely.
2. Stand up, rise up on your toes, and lower yourself back onto your heels.
3. Move with your heels turned inward.
4. Move with your heels turned outward.

After a few days, light jogging at a slow pace is useful. Exercises in any case should not cause pain, but bring you pleasure. Doing these exercises shortens the recovery time.

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Physical Therapy for Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprain is an indication for UHF. UHF is an electric field treatment. 10-15 sessions of 20 minutes are prescribed. Exercise therapy and warm baths are also used. They have an analgesic effect. They are used 1 hour after eating.

Prevention of ankle sprains

Ankle sprains can be prevented by wearing high-heeled shoes as little as possible, and wearing high-quality, comfortable shoes with good ankle support for sports. Physical exercise and sports themselves also serve as excellent prevention – they strengthen muscles and ligaments.

Ankle Sprain Prognosis

If treatment is started on time, the prognosis is favorable. Strict adherence to the recommendations of an orthopedic traumatologist will quickly help you get back on track.

An ankle sprain can be mild or it can significantly interfere with daily work and sometimes even just walking. In any case, every person who has suffered an ankle injury should be examined by a doctor, first of all, to rule out a fracture and perform surgery in a timely manner, if necessary.

Sick leave for ankle sprain

If you have an ankle sprain and are shown treatment at home, then you will be issued a sick leave for 7-10 days. In the case of a third degree sprain, when the ligament is completely torn or torn off, surgical treatment may be indicated. In this case, the doctor is obliged to issue you a sick leave for the entire period of rehabilitation.