What is the Leading Risk Factor for an Ankle Sprain?

Did you know that the leading risk factor for spraining you ankle is to previously sprain your ankle?

Hoch and McKeon (2010) found that your chances or ankle sprain increase after you initially sprain your ankle. Moiler et al (2006) have reported that after an ankle sprain chronic instability develops, which further increases the risk of recurrent ankle sprains.

In fact, a systemic literature review by Brinkman and Evans (2011) suggested that spraining your ankle also increased your chances of spraining your other ankle.

Why does spraining your ankle make you more vulnerable to more sprains?

After insufficient rehabilitation post-ankle sprain your are commonly left with excessive ligament laxity, poor sensorimotor control, weak leg muscles, an imbalance between your ankle muscle strength and reduced ankle bend (usually dorsiflexion).

All of these risk actors to further ankle sprain and importantly can be prevented by thorough post-ankle sprain rehabilitation.

Seah and Mani-Babu (2011), Russell (2010), Fousekis et al (2012), Hadzic et al (2009).

Therefore it is important to properly rehabilitate your ankle sprain to prevent future sprain and other injuries further up the kinetic chain. Researchers have identified stiff ankles as a risk factor in many knee, hip and low back injuries. If only you would have thoroughly rehabilitated your ankle sprain!

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What is a Sprained Ankle?

A sprained ankle occurs when your ankle ligaments are overstretched.

Ankle sprains vary in their severity, from mild "twisted ankle" or "rolled ankle" sprain through to severe complete ligament ruptures, avulsion fractures or broken bones.

What Causes a Sprained Ankle?

Ankle sprains can occur simply by rolling your ankle or some unstable ground.
Common examples of this occur when awkwardly planting your foot when running, landing unbalanced from a jump or stepping onto an irregular surface.

What are the Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle?

A history of your ankle rolling is the key ingredient to suspecting a sprained ankle. At the time of the injury you may hear a popping or cracking sound and will notice swelling, bruising and ankle pain.

Lateral or medial ligament sprains are usually acutely tender over the injured ligament.

Depending on the severity of your ankle sprain, you may have trouble walking or standing on your foot. In these cases, crutches, strapping or a walking boot may be necessary to help you to mobilise throughout the day.

In more severe cases, there may be sharp pain deep in the ankle joint associated with a talar dome fracture or pain between your lower shin bones, which may be a syndesmosis or high ankle sprain.

How is a Sprained Ankle Diagnosed?

Your physiotherapist is an expert in the assessment and diagnosis of ankle sprains.

Your history and a thorough clinical examination will determine the severity of your sprained ankle.

If required, you may be referred for a X-ray, CT scan or MRI to confirm or exclude specific ligament or bone injuries.

Which Ankle Ligaments are Commonly Sprained?

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Treatment for Sprained Ankle

Unfortunately, a sprained ankle can increase your risk of re-injury as much as 40-70%, but the correct post-injury rehabilitation exercises significantly decreases the risk.

Researchers have concluded that there are essentially six aims that need to be covered to effectively rehabilitate your sprained ankle and prevent recurrence.Read full article: http://bit.ly/19fmqQE

Sprained Ankle Prognosis?

There is no specific time frame that sprained ankle recover. While we do know that the ligaments themselves will take at least six weeks to heal, your muscle strength, range of motion, proprioception and return to function can vary considerably. Here’s some general guidelines.

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For more specific advice about your sprained ankle, please ask your PhysioWorks physiotherapist.

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