Ankle Ligament Rupture
Injuries to the ankle not only make everyday life difficult, but also take away the joy of movement and sport. It’s no wonder, because the ankle supports our weight when we stand, walk or run, and allows the foot to flex and flex and flex, allowing us to take steps. Ankle injuries are very common, and can be caused by sprains, dislocations, and ankle ligament ruptures. It is important to have the lesion behind the pain investigated as soon as possible and to start treatment. In this article, you can find out all you need to know about the development, symptoms, complications and treatment options for ankle ligament ruptures.
How can an ankle ligament rupture?
The rupture of the ankle ligament is typically the result of an injury. Ankle sprains are very common, because it can be caused by an unexpected unevenness in the ground or a single misstep. It is only a specialist who can determine the lesions behind the sudden onset of pain. You may get away with a mild sprain, a dislocation or a tear in the ankle ligament, which can cause a rupture in the surrounding blood vessels.
A torn ankle ligament can occur even during a normal walk if you take a wrong step or miss a step. The risk of accidents is also increased when stepping on slippery or icy ground, as well as when playing sports, where the body and joints are subjected to greater stress. Examples of sports that are risky for ankle injuries include tennis, orienteering, football and handball.
Anatomy of the ankle
The ankle joint is located at the junction of three bones: the tibia and fibula, which form the shank of the foot, and the talus, which forms the top of the foot. The three bones are joined by the medial and lateral ankle ligaments, with the lateral ligament being the more fragile. The ankle joint provides the flexor-tensor (spica-pipa) movement of the foot, which is essential for walking and running. The ankle is essentially our heavy-duty joint, as it carries our entire body weight when we walk and run, and also acts as a kind of ‘shock absorber’. This means that an ankle injury can cause serious problems in your daily life and in your ability to carry out sporting activities.
What are the symptoms of a ruptured ankle ligament?
An ankle ligament rupture can cause very severe pain, which is usually felt immediately after the injury and can worsen over the next hour. The degree of pain depends on whether the tear is partial or complete, and is typically most severe when the patient is trying to put weight on the leg. It is not even worth trying to do this at this time, as the force of the effort can aggravate the injury.
The ankle can also swell. This symptom also usually occurs immediately after the injury. Its role is to protect the ankle. In addition to the pain, the swelling makes it difficult to move the joint, so the patient does not put any weight on it, reducing the chance of the injury getting worse. Haemorrhages and bruising around the joint are also common, indicating damage to blood vessels.
Dr. András Mérai
Orthopedic-Traumatologist and Chief Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Physician
Types of ankle ligament ruptures
Ankle ligament injuries have different degrees of severity:
The mildest, luckiest case is when the ligaments are only stretched but not subject to rupture, or only in a very minimal part. Even in this case, there may be a lot of pain, mild swelling of the ankle and minor bruising. The joint can be weight-bearing and the patient can stand on his or her feet despite the pain.
Partial ankle ligament rupture
when the ligament is torn, but not the full width. Then the ankle is more painful and swells more than when the ligaments are just stretched. It is very painful to move the ankle.
Full ankle ligament rupture
when the ligament in the ankle is torn across its entire width. This can cause quite a lot of pain and is associated with a lot of swelling and bruising of the ankle.
What risk factors increase the risk of ankle ligament ruptures?
Ankle ligament rupture is the result of injuries and falls, so activities, environmental conditions and conditions that increase the risk of falls are all risk factors for ligament rupture.
Ankle ligament ruptures are common during sports because of the above. Sports involving sudden changes of direction and jumping are particularly risky. Examples include tennis, long jump, handball, basketball and football. Orienteering and hiking are also more risky because of the uneven terrain.
The solution, of course, is not to stop doing sport and exercise, but to reduce the risks. It’s worth strengthening and flexing the ankle with physiotherapy exercises and always warming up before playing sport. This significantly reduces the risk of injury. The choice of footwear also makes a difference. It is important that the shoes support the ankle well. High-heeled shoes should be avoided because of the high risk of injury when wearing them.
What are the complications of an ankle ligament rupture?
If you have an ankle injury, it is recommended that you see an orthopedics specialist as soon as possible . If treatment is not given, it can lead to further problems. If the ankle ligaments are stretched because of an ankle ligament injury, the ankle joint becomes more unstable and the risk of another injury increases. In addition, pain can increase and joint inflammation can develop. If the ankle does not perform its functions properly, it can also cause pain in other parts of the body, such as the hips and knees. For these reasons, it is recommended that you see a specialist for any ankle injury and follow the treatment recommendations.
How is an ankle ligament rupture tested?
If your ankle goes out, a specialist examination is always recommended. To do this, you should see an orthopedic doctor or a traumatologist, who will determine the lesion causing your symptoms. This could be a mild sprain or a complete rupture of the ankle ligament.
At the Budapest Musculoskeletal Private Outpatient Clinic, we follow a special patient journey protocol. The first step is to establish a medical history. The doctor will ask you in detail about the circumstances of your injury, symptoms and any previous trauma.
Then comes the physical examination. The doctor examines, palpates and moves the ankle, and performs range of motion and range of motion tests. This will help decide whether imaging diagnostics tests are needed to make a diagnosis. In the case of ankle ligament ruptures, X-rays may be needed to rule out possible fractures and bone splinters. Occasionally, the doctor may also order an ultrasound examination or an MRI scan.
Based on the medical history, physical examination and imaging findings, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and recommend a personalised treatment plan.
What treatments are available?
The treatment for an ankle ligament rupture depends on the extent of the injury. If the ligament is only stretched but not ruptured, or if only a minimal part of the ligament is ruptured, then rest or conservative therapy may be sufficient. If a complete ankle ligament rupture is diagnosed, non-surgical solutions can still help in many cases, but surgery may sometimes be necessary.
Home treatment
Home treatment should never replace medical treatment, but should be complementary to it and should be carried out under the guidance of a specialist. When the ligaments are only stretched but not ruptured, or only partially ruptured, conservative therapy is usually sufficient. The doctor may recommend pain- and anti-inflammatory creams and tablets and prescribe orthoses to fix the ankle. In addition, the patient can do much to help his or her recovery at home. Resting the foot, padding it up and intermittent icing will greatly aid recovery, which takes 1-1.5 weeks for a stretched ligament and 3-4 weeks for a partial ankle ligament rupture. After healing, physiotherapy is recommended to strengthen and stabilise the ankle joint. This not only improves quality of life but also reduces the risk of further ankle injuries.
Medical treatment
In milder cases, the doctor may prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories, and recommend a device to immobilise the ankle. In the case of a complete ankle ligament rupture, a cast is recommended, usually for 6 weeks. In some cases, for example if the ankle is frequently sprained and remains painful, surgery may be considered. In this case, surgery is performed using a technique called ligament replacement, which involves replacing the ligaments by inserting a tendon.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy gymnastics can greatly aid the healing of ankle ligament ruptures. It is important to practise under the guidance of a qualified physiotherapist. The physiotherapist will carry out an initial physical assessment of your condition, which will be used to draw up a personalised treatment plan. He or she will teach you how to perform the recommended exercises, which you can do daily at home. As the patient’s condition improves, the physiotherapist teaches new exercises. Physiotherapy helps to reduce swelling, regain ankle stability and range of motion, and strengthen muscles.
Did you take a wrong step and hurt your ankle? Do you often sprain your ankle when walking? Do you have other musculoskeletal problems? Make an appointment now at the Budapest Musculoskeletal Private Outpatient Clinic for a specialist examination by calling +36 (1) 44-33-433! The best and most dedicated orthopedic specialists in the profession are waiting for patients in Budapest in a pleasant environment at several locations!