Ankle Sprain - Physioline

A sprained ankle is a condition characterized by damage and tearing to the soft tissue of the ankle, commonly affecting the lateral ligament.

The lateral ligament acts to prevent the foot and ankle from turning inward excessively. When this movement is excessive beyond what the ligament can withstand, tearing to the ligament occurs. This condition is known as a sprained ankle and may range from a small partial tear resulting in minimal pain, to a complete rupture resulting in significant pain and disability.

Commonly occurs during activities involving jumping and landing, or activities requiring rapid changes in direction, especially on uneven surfaces.
Often occurs in basketball, football, volleyball,netball,Kabaddi,cricket.
Sometimes the player may land awkwardly from a high jump or roll the ankle, or may land on an opposition player’s foot resulting into the injury.
In patients who experience frequent ankle sprains, there is often a loss of joint stability resulting in the patient rolling their ankle on flat surfaces or during trivial activities.

You may notice an audible snap, click or tearing sound at the time of injury.
Pain and swelling at the outside of the ankle.
In minor cases, patients may be able to continue activity only to experience an increase in pain, swelling and stiffness in the ankle after activity with rest.
In more severe cases, pain may be severe at the time of injury and a rapid onset of swelling maybe present( within the first few hours following injury) at the outside of the ankle.
Patient may also walk with a limp or be unable to weight bear due to pain and may develop bruising and stiffness over the coming days.
Tenderness in the outer aspect of the ankle.
Increase in pain with combined movement of turning the foot inwards and pointing the foot and ankle downwards.