Ankle Sprain and Sports Injuries
An ankle sprain happens when the foot rolls inwards and stretches or tears the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. It is one of the commonest injuries in football, basketball and gym training, and also happens on uneven roads, gutters and stairs. Other sports injuries such as muscle strains and tendon problems follow a similar pattern of rest, then a graded return to activity. In Nigeria many sprains are taken to a native bone setter for massage and tight bandaging, or rubbed with hot water and ointment. Hard massage and manipulation can worsen the swelling, and a fracture can be missed. Most sprains heal well with early movement and physiotherapy, but an ankle that is not rehabilitated often stays weak and keeps giving way.
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Symptoms
- Pain and swelling around the ankle, usually on the outer side
- Bruising that appears within a day or two
- Pain when putting weight on the foot
- Stiffness and reduced movement of the ankle
- The ankle feeling loose or giving way on uneven ground
- Pain and weakness in a muscle after a sudden pull, in a strain
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor for an X-ray if you could not take four steps straight after the injury or still cannot, if there is tenderness over the bony knobs at the side of the ankle or along the outer edge of the foot, or if the pain is severe. Go to an emergency department for a deformed ankle, a bone through the skin, a cold, pale or numb foot, or severe swelling after a high-energy injury such as a road accident. See a doctor or physiotherapist if the ankle is still painful or unstable after two to three weeks.
Treatment options
- Protection, ice wrapped in a cloth, compression and raising the leg in the first two to three days
- Simple pain relief
- Walking on the ankle as pain allows, with a brace or support if needed
- Physiotherapy: movement, strengthening and balance exercises
- A graded return to running, jumping and sport
- An X-ray to rule out a fracture, and specialist review for an ankle that keeps giving way
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Should I take a sprained ankle to a bone setter?
It is better not to. Hard massage and manipulation can increase swelling and bleeding in the joint, and a fracture can be missed without an X-ray. A doctor or physiotherapist can tell you whether a scan is needed and how to recover safely.
How long does an ankle sprain take to heal?
A mild sprain usually improves in two to three weeks. A more severe one can take six weeks or longer to recover fully, and balance and strength take longer to return than the pain takes to go.
Is it sprained or broken?
You cannot always tell by looking. Being unable to walk four steps, or pain when pressing on the bone, are reasons to have an X-ray. Swelling and bruising happen with both.
Why does my ankle keep twisting?
A sprain that was not rehabilitated often leaves the ligaments loose and the balance reflexes weak. Balance and strengthening exercises with a physiotherapist fix this for most people. A few need a specialist opinion.
Need Help?
Paid online. Assessment and a home exercise programme on the first visit.
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