Ankle Sprains
Overview: Ankle sprains involve injury to one or more of the ligaments supporting the ankle joint. The major bones comprising the ankle joint are the tibia and fibula of the leg along with the talus and calcaneus of the foot.
Acute stresses beyond the normal range of motion to the lateral ligaments(anterior talofibular or ATF, calcaneofibular or CF, posterior talofibular or PTF) are most commonly due to inversion or inward movements of the foot. These are the most common type of ankle sprains. Less frequent are eversion or outward movements of the foot resulting in injury to the deltoid ligament complex (tibia to calcaneus). “High ankle sprain”(injury to the connecting ligaments between the tibia and fibula) is also uncommon.
Ankle sprains are graded in severity by the extent of ligament fiber damage. Grade 1 is at a microscopic level, Grade 2 involve enough fibers to cause some ligament laxity or looseness, Grade 3 is complete tearing of the ligament.
What Thielen Student Health Center Can Do For You: If you have followed the R.I.C.E. principles (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) and have persistent pain, swelling, or instability, or if you are unable to weight bear after the injury, you may require further examination to determine the extent of the injury.
In addition to a physical examination of the joint, this may involve an x-ray to rule out any fracture. An x-ray cannot, however, reveal tearing of a ligament. You may be provided with an ankle support and/or crutches. You may also be instructed on rehabilitation exercises.
Use of analgesics for pain relief may be reviewed. If there is a fracture or extensive ligament damage, you may be referred to an orthopedic physician.
Resources
Last update: 11 Dec 2007
For more information, please contact:
Iowa State University
Thielen Student Health Center
515-294-5801
