An ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries affecting patients with an active lifestyle. This condition affects the ligaments supporting your ankle. The severity of your ankle sprain will depend on the degree of stretching and tearing of affected ligaments. Seeking medical treatment for Cypress ankle sprain is the best way to eliminate symptoms limiting your mobility.
Most patients present ankle sprain affecting the lateral ligaments. Lesser common complaints are acute medial and syndesmotic ankle sprains. Women are more likely to experience ankle sprains than men.
One of the most significant factors determining clinical outcomes is rehabilitation urgency. Failure to receive emergency care for the initial sprain predisposes you to higher chances of this injury recurrence. Moreover, delayed medical intervention may promote increased ankle-related medical visits.
The anatomy for ankle sprains
The anterior Talofibular ligament is the most commonly affected ligament for the lateral ankle ligament complex. Forceful inversion of a plantar-flexed foot causes Calcaneofibular (CFL) and posterior Talofibular ligaments (PTFL) to fail to sustain heavy loads. This complication is the reason for the ATFL and Calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) sprain injury.
Sudden pronation and rotation movements of the hindfoot affect the deltoid ligament complex found in the medial side of the ankle. This movement causes tearing of the posterior Tibiotalar (PTTL), Tibiocalcaneal (TCL), Tibionavicular (TNL), and anterior Tibiotalar ligaments (ATTL). Combined external leg rotation and dorsiflexion of the ankle cause high ankle sprain.
Risk factors predisposing athletes to ankle instability
The following risk factors enhance your chances of getting an ankle sprain:
- Extrinsic factors include the intensity of activity, history of ankle sprain, shoe type, and duration of activity.
- Intrinsic factors like gender, height, weight, and limb dominance.
Clinical presentation of ankle sprain
Patients complain of varying ankle sprain complications depending on the sprain’s cause, type, and severity. The following are the most common signs and symptoms of ankle sprain:
- Pain: Patients experience this symptom when they pressure the affected foot. Pain is the reason for limited mobility and underperformance.
- Tenderness: Your doctor will palpate the skin around your ankle joint to check for tenderness, confirming torn ligaments.
- Joint instability: This symptom causes a limited range of motion.
Classification of ankle sprain
Doctors classify ankle sprains into various grading systems for effective continuity of care. A common grading system focuses on the tear a ligament receives and follows the following criteria:
- Grade I involves slight stretching of ligament fibers.
- Grade II involves partial tears to ankle ligaments.
- Grade III involves complete ligament rupture.
Another popular grading system for ankle sprain focuses on the severity of symptoms and follows the following criteria:
- Grade I: Patients in this stage experience mild swelling, tenderness, and limitation of ankle function.
- Grade II: This stage involves moderate impairment. Decreased range of motion and ankle instability also happens in this stage.
- Grade III: Severe ankle sprain complications, including significant swelling and tenderness, loss of function, and instability, are certain in this stage.
Collaborating with an experienced specialist with a comprehensive educational background will ensure an accurate ankle diagnosis and promote appropriate treatment. Contact Cypress Foot & Ankle Center to discuss potential treatment options for your ankle sprain and restore joint function.
