Ankle Sprains
The ankle sprain is the most common injury in sports, accounting for
up to 25% of all lost time from participation. An ankle sprain is an
injury to the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. It has been
estimated that between 70% and 80% of athletes suffering an ankle sprain
will suffer a recurrent sprain. Twenty to 40% of patients develop
chronic instability (multiple recurring sprains) after a ankle sprain.
The reason for the high incidence of residual ankle instability after
an initial lateral ankle sprain is the simple fact that most ankle
sprains are mistreated. All too often, a patient will initially present
to an emergency room or other facility where the focus of evaluation is
to rule out a fracture. Any follow-up care from that point often
neglects the rehabilitation of an injury to the ligaments of the ankle.
The appropriate and effective treatment of an ankle sprain requires
careful supervision by the physician and a dedicated, disciplined
participation by the patient.
IMMOBILIZATION AND BRACING
The cornerstone of treatment of a lateral ankle sprain is the proper use
of immobilization devices that allow early weightbearing. Bearing weight
on your ankle will encourage healing of torn ends of ligament and
restore the ankle to its most stable position. We provide our patients
with a plan of immobilization that includes the use of removable casts
and ankle braces. While waiting to see your doctor, you should at the
very least be wearing an ankle brace. We recommend either the
Darco Gel Ankle Brace or the
Stromgren Double Strap Ankle Brace, available at
www.FootAnkleStore.com.
DECREASING INFLAMMATION AND INCREASING STRENGTH
Your doctor and your physical therapist will work with you on methods to
help decrease the swelling associated with the injury. Once swelling
has decreased, you will be taught exercises that will help you regain
the strength in the muscles of your leg.
BALANCE AND PROPRIOCEPTION
Restoration of balance and posture has been shown to be the most
important aspect of preventing future ankle sprains. Although many
patients are immobilized properly until pain and swelling subside, they
will go on to develop symptoms of instability because redeveloping
balance in the ankle is ignored. You will work with a physical
therapist to learn and perform specialized exercises to help you regain
balance and proprioception.
CUSTOM FOOT ORTHOTICS
There is considerable research that demonstrates that many of those
patients with chronic instability of the ankle also have instability of
the joint directly beneath the ankle (the sub-talar joint). This is the
joint at which your foot rolls in and out (or pronates and supinates).1
Properly prescribed custom functional orthotics act to stabilize the
sub-talar joint and therefore help prevent ankle sprains.
The most successful rehabilitation occurs when you are able to wear
your orthoses before you start back to activity without your ankle
brace. Evaluation for the orthotics should therefore take place about 3
weeks after the injury — when normal walking is likely to have returned
and swelling to have decreased substantially.
SHOES
Shoes that offer exceptional all-around support will help prevent future
ankle sprains. We will provide you with recommendations of appropriate
shoes for your foot type and a list of shoe stores with personnel
trained in proper fitting.
Ankle sprains that are not treated correctly can lead to long-term
problems. If you have sprained your ankle or are experiencing
ankle symptoms call
today for an evaluation in our convenient Seattle office.
All pages on this website © 2008
Douglas Hale, DPM & Lawrence Huppin, DPM
Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, Seattle
The material provided on this web site is for informative purposes only.
If you need specific medical advice, please contact the office for an appointment.
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