Ankle Sprain
In the case of ankle sprains, sprained ankles, sprained ankles, what should be done to heal? When should you consult a specialist?
When should you see a physiotherapist?
What do we mean by ankle sprains?
Ankle sprains, or ankle sprains, are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. This is because it only takes one accidental misstep to twist the ankle joint, which can result in a mild sprain or even a rupture of the ankle ligament. In the case of ankle sprains, the ankle ligaments can stretch or even experience a rupture, along with the surrounding blood vessels. A minor sprain may go unnoticed, but repeated sprains can have serious consequences for the ankle joint’s ability to bear weight. In the case of a larger dislocation, the consequences are immediately noticeable: sharp pain, swelling of the ankle, haemorrhaging and even an ankle that is at an abnormal angle. The symptoms typically depend on the extent of the injury.
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.
Incidence and risk of ankle sprains
Most ankle sprains occur during sport, when muscles and joints are subjected to greater stress. However, it can also happen during a simple walk, for example when stepping on uneven or slippery ground, or when climbing stairs.
Ankle sprains should never be underestimated! Although this is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries and can happen to virtually anyone at any time – it’s almost an everyday occurrence – it’s important to deal with it and avoid further trouble.
The symptoms of ankle sprains: pain, loss of range of motion, swelling, bruising; can indicate a bone injury or even a fracture as much as a “simple” ankle ligament injury. There are also different degrees of severity of ligament injury: in some cases the ligaments are only stretched, in others there may be a partial or complete rupture of the ankle ligament. Ankle joint immobilisation and rest are always the first priority, but it is worth consulting an orthopedics specialist to assess the degree of injury. Even a mildly sprained ankle can result in permanent ankle instability without proper treatment.
Treatment of ankle sprain
Treatment of ankle sprains depends on which part of the ankle joint is damaged and to what extent. In the case of mild ankle sprains, where there is no bone damage or ligament rupture, but only stretching of the ankle ligaments, basic treatment may be sufficient: rest for a few days, intermittent icing, application of painkillers and/or ointment, padding, and ankle orthosis. Usually after 7-10 days, the ankle joint can be loaded again, and joint stabilisation physiotherapy can be started to treat the instability caused by the stretched ankle ligaments .
In the case of a partial ankle ligament rupture, the course of treatment is practically the same as described above, but the recovery time is much longer: after 3-4 weeks of rest, rehabilitation and stabilisation physiotherapy is also required.
In the case of a complete ankle ligament rupture, a surgical intervention is usually required to repair the ankle ligaments. After surgery, rest, gradual weight bearing and rehabilitation physiotherapy are also required.
The situation is more complicated in the case of ankle bone injuries. Bone damage can be diagnosed with certainty by X-ray and is a problem that requires very thorough diagnostics. Based on the type, extent and location of the bone injury , the orthopaedic traumatologist may decide on conservative treatment or an intervention. In both cases, specific physiotherapy is key to a full recovery.
Testing of ankle sprain
In the case of an ankle sprain, depending on the extent of the trauma to the ankle and the severity of the symptoms, it is worth consultingan orthopaedic traumatologist to determine the exact nature and degree of the injury. The symptoms are very similar in ligament and bone injuries, but the recovery process can be very different. An examination by a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and determine treatment.
At the Budapest Musculoskeletal Private Outpatient Clinic , we have developed a specific patient journey protocol, based on which the basic steps of the orthopedics examination for ankle sprains are:
- Taking a medical history: a detailed interview about the circumstances of the trauma and any history of previous injuries.
- A thorough physical examination by a medical specialist, and movement and mobility tests. Based on the physical examination, a specialist will determine the need for any diagnostic imaging tests. In the case of an ankle sprain, an X-ray is usually recommended, and in some cases ultrasound diagnostics may be considered. Diagnostics tests can help to visualise and measure anatomical structural changes and reveal the true cause of the complaint.
- Based on the medical history, physical examination and imaging diagnostics, the specialist makes an accurate diagnosis.
- A personalised treatment plan is drawn up. We accompany our patients all the way to recovery!
The key to success is doctor-patient cooperation and trust!
