Sudden, jabbing twist, that surprise roll of an ankle, and the aching hurt. The familiar story, one that can bench a person from their beloved activities. But an ankle sprain is not just an instant mishap; it is a message, a reminder from our bodies to take heed.
Picture the ankle as a highly sensitive machine, stabilized by tough yet flexible bands of tissue known as ligaments. When one misstep, the ligaments get stretched beyond what they can take, or worse, torn, resulting in what we call a sprain. The degree of severity can be different – mild overstretch (Grade 1), partial tear (Grade 2), or full rupture (Grade 3). Each with its own complications.
Dr. Sinukumar Bhaskaran, Consultant – Adult Joint Replacement & Reconstruction and Robotic Arthroplasty (Hip & Knee), Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune shares what patients need to know about ankle sprains and injuries.
It isn’t always sensational sports injuries. Daily mishaps are just as likely culprits:
Taking a walk over a bumpy surface can be a misstep.
That jump that person didn’t quite land? That’s an ideal sprain waiting to happen.
: While chic, they do play havoc with your balance.
A Person could have a weakened ankle if they had a previous sprain.
Don’t shortcut recovery.
• Be on the lookout for lingering problems.
Proprioceptive exercises are essential.
• Severe pain or inability to walk requires professional attention.
•Use RICE and pain medications correctly.
Follow through with the exercise program.
: Return to activity gradually to prevent re-injury.
Prevention is always better than cure. Here’s how to keep the ankles strong and stable:
•Simple exercises like calf raises and ankle circles can make a big difference.
• Standing on one leg, using a wobble board – these exercises improve stability.
Supportive footwear is important, especially during physical activity.
Get the muscles ready to work and let them rest.
Notice uneven terrain and possible dangers.
If a person tends to sprain, an ankle brace might be helpful.
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation are what people need early on.
Patient can use over-the-counter pain medication to treat the pain.
A therapist can take you through exercises to regain strength and mobility.
Severe sprains might be treated using a brace or cast.
In rare instances only, surgery is necessary to repair ruptured ligaments. Such as Arthroscopy, ligament repair, Ankle fusion etc.
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