Sprained Ankle

Sprained Ankle

A sprained ankle is a very common injury. Approximately 25,000 people experience it each day. A sprained ankle can happen to athletes and non-athletes, children and adults. It can happen when you take part in sports and physical fitness activities. It can also happen when you simply step on an uneven surface, or step down at an angle.

The ligaments of the ankle hold the ankle bones and joint in position. They protect the ankle joint from abnormal movements-especially twisting, turning, and rolling of the foot.

A ligament is an elastic structure. Ligaments usually stretch within their limits, and then go back to their normal positions. When a ligament is forced to stretch beyond its normal range, a sprain occurs. A severe sprain causes actual tearing of the elastic fibers.

How It Happens

Ankle sprains happen when the foot twists, rolls or turns beyond its normal motions. A great force is transmitted upon landing. You can sprain your ankle if the foot is planted unevenly on a surface, beyond the normal force of stepping. This causes the ligaments to stretch beyond their normal range in an abnormal position.

Mechanism of Injury

If there is a severe in-turning or out-turning of the foot relative to the ankle, the forces cause the ligaments to stretch beyond their normal length. If the force is too strong, the ligaments can tear. You may lose your balance when your foot is placed unevenly on the ground. You may fall and be unable to stand on that foot. When excessive force is applied to the ankle's soft tissue structures, you may even hear a "pop". Pain and swelling result.

The amount of force determines the grade of the sprain. A mild sprain is a Grade 1. A moderate sprain is a Grade 2. A severe strain is a Grade 3 (see Table below).

• Grade 1 sprain:

Slight stretching and some damage to the fibers (fibrils) of the ligament.

• Grade 2 sprain:

Partial tearing of the ligament. If the ankle joint is examined and moved in certain ways, abnormal looseness (laxity) of the ankle joint occurs.

• Grade 3 sprain:

Complete tear of the ligament. If the examiner pulls or pushes on the ankle joint in certain movements, gross instability occurs.

Severity	Physical Examination Findings	Impairment	Pathophysiology	Typical Treatment*
Grade 1	Minimal tenderness and swelling	Minimal	Microscopic tearing of collagen fibers	Weight bearing as tolerated No splinting/casting Isometric exercises Full range-of-motion and stretching/ strengthening exercises as tolerated
Grade 2	Moderated tenderness and swelling Decreased range of motion Possible instability	Moderated	Complete tears of some but not all collagen fibers in the ligament	Immobilization with air splint Physical therapy with range-of-motion and stretching/ strengthening exercises
Grade 3	Significant swelling and tenderness Instability	Severe	Complete tear/ rupture of ligament	Immobilization Physical therapy similar to that for grade 2 sprains but over a longer period Possible surgical reconstruction

Diagnosis

See your doctor to diagnose a sprained ankle. He or she may order X-rays to make sure you don't have a broken bone in the ankle or foot. A broken bone can have similar symptoms of pain and swelling.

The injured ligament may feel tender. If there is no broken bone, the doctor may be able to tell you the grade of your ankle sprain based upon the amount of swelling, pain and bruising.

The physical exam may be painful. The doctor may need to move your ankle in various ways to see which ligament has been hurt or torn.

If there is a complete tear of the ligaments, the ankle may become unstable after the initial injury phase passes. If this occurs, it is possible that the injury may also cause damage to the ankle joint surface itself.

The doctor may order an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan if he or she suspects a very severe injury to the ligaments, injury to the joint surface, a small bone chip or other problem. The MRI can make sure the diagnosis is correct. The MRI may be ordered after the period of swelling and bruising resolves.

Symptoms

The amount of pain depends on the amount of stretching and tearing of the ligament. Instability occurs when there has been complete tearing of the ligament or a complete dislocation of the ankle joint.

Treatment

Nonsurgical Treatment

Walking may be difficult because of the swelling and pain. You may need to use crutches if walking causes pain. Usually swelling and pain will last two days to three days. Depending upon the grade of injury, the doctor may tell you to use removable plastic devices such as castboots or air splints.

Most ankle sprains need only a period of protection to heal. The healing process takes about four weeks to six weeks. The doctor may tell you to incorporate motion early in the healing process to prevent stiffness. Motion may also aid in being able to sense position, location, orientation and movement of the ankle (proprioception). Even a complete ligament tear can heal without surgical repair if it is immobilized appropriately. Even if an ankle has a chronic tear, it can still be highly functional because overlying tendons help with stability and motion.

For a Grade 1 sprain, use R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression and elevation):

·Rest your ankle by not walking on it.

·Ice should be immediately applied. It keeps the swelling down. It can be used for 20 minutes to 30 minutes, three or four times daily. Combine ice with wrapping to decrease swelling, pain and dysfunction.

·Compression dressings, bandages or ace-wraps immobilize and support the injured ankle.

·Elevate your ankle above your heart level for 48 hours.

For a Grade 2 sprain, the RICE guidelines can also be used. Allow more time for healing to occur. The doctor may also use a device to immobilize or splint the ankle.

A Grade 3 sprain can be associated with permanent instability. Surgery is rarely needed. A short leg cast or a cast-brace may be used for two weeks to three weeks.

Rehabilitation is used to help to decrease pain and swelling and to prevent chronic ankle problems. Ultrasound and electrical stimulation may also be used as needed to help with pain and swelling. At first, rehabilitation exercises may involve active range of motion or controlled movements of the ankle joint without resistance. Water exercises may be used if land-based strengthening exercises, such as toe-raising, are too painful. Lower extremity exercises and endurance activities are added as tolerated. Proprioception training is very important, as poor propriception is a major cause of repeat sprain and an unstable ankle joint. Once you are pain-free, other exercises may be added, such as agility drills. The goal is to increase strength and range of motion as balance improves over time.

All ankle sprains recover through three phases:

·Phase 1 includes resting, protecting the ankle and reducing the swelling (one week).

·Phase 2 includes restoring range of motion, strength and flexibility (one week to two weeks).

·Phase 3 includes gradually returning to activities that do not require turning or twisting the ankle and doing maintenance exercises. This will be followed later by being able to do activities that require sharp, sudden turns (cutting activities) such as tennis, basketball or football (weeks to months).

Medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to control pain and inflammation.

Long-term outcome

If an ankle sprain is not recognized, and is not treated with the necessary attention and care, chronic problems of pain and instability may result.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatment for ankle sprains is rare. Surgery is reserved for injuries that fail to respond to nonsurgical treatment, and for persistent instability after months of rehabilitation and non-surgical treatment.

Surgical options include:

·Arthroscopy
A surgeon looks inside the joint to see if there are any loose fragments of bone or cartilage, or part of the ligament caught in the joint.

·Reconstruction
A surgeon repairs the torn ligament with stitches or suture, or uses other ligaments and/or tendons found in the foot and around the ankle to repair the damaged ligaments.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation after surgery involves time and attention to restore strength and range of motion so you can return to pre-injury function. The length of time you can expect to spend recovering depends upon the extent of injury and the amount of surgery that was done. Rehabilitation may take from weeks to months.

Prevention

The best way to prevent ankle sprains is to maintain good strength, muscle balance and flexibility.

• Warm-up before doing exercises and vigorous activities
• Pay attention to walking, running or working surfaces
• Wear good shoes
• Pay attention to your body's warning signs to slow down when you feel pain or fatigue

Is It Acute or Chronic?

If you have sprained your ankle in the past, you may continue to sprain it if the ligaments did not have time to completely heal. If the sprain happens frequently and pain continues for more than four weeks to six weeks, you may have a chronic ankle sprain. Activities that tend to make an already sprained ankle worse include stepping on uneven surfaces, cutting actions and sports that require rolling or twisting of the foot, such as trail running, basketball, tennis, football and soccer.

Possible complications of ankle sprains and treatment include abnormal proprioception. There may be imbalance and muscle weakness that causes a re-injury. If this happens over and over again, a chronic situation may persist with instability, a sense of the ankle giving way (gross laxity) and chronic pain. This can also happen if you return to work, sports or other activities without letting the ankle heal and become rehabilitated.

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Orthopaedic Physiotherapy

Orthopaedic Physiotherapy

This is the branch of physiotherapy concerned with the treatment of injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints and ligaments Orthopaedic Physiotherapy also includes pre and post operative rehabilitation of hip, shoulder and knee. Orthopaedic Physiotherapy is a scientific approach to treatment following Evidence Based Guidelines. Initially the physiotherapist will carry out a clinical assessment and this is followed by appropriate treatments. It is important to get to the source of the problem and prevent a re-occurrence. The treatment goal of the orthopaedic physiotherapist is to provide pain relief, increase joint range, improve strength and flexibility and restore the patient to full function  

Orthopaedic Conditions treated by us at the physio-company include:

•   Ligament Strain, Sprain or tear
•    Fracture Rehabilitation
•    Inflammation of tendons or Bursa
•    Osteo -Arthritis
•    Rheumatoid - Arthritis
•    Osteoporosis
•    Anklyosing Spondylitis
•    Scoliosis
•    Spondylolisthesis
•    Spondylolysis
•    Surgical Rehabilitation of Hip,Shoulder,Knee and Foot/Ankle

Pre-operative physiotherapy can help to strengthen a patient physically and cardiovasculary. In the case of a joint physiotherapy can help maintain and improve range of movement prior to surgery and educate the client on their post operative rehabilitation. This will facilitate the client to recover from surgery at a faster rate.

Physio treatments of orthopaedic conditions can include the following:

• Manual therapy: This is a carefully graded system of moving the joints to reduce pain and restore normal mobility of the joints. It includes mobilization, manipulation and other related techniques.
• Massage-Techniques: vary from relaxing light pressure massage to deep friction massage to breakdown scar tissue in muscle or ligaments.
• Ultrasound Therapy: An electrical machine which produces ultrasonic waves which are transmitted into the affected area using conducting gel. This in turn causes a  micro-massage  effect which promotes circulation, reduces pain and increases regenerative powers of tissues and helps muscle relaxation. It is very helpful in the treatment of soft tissue injuries.
• Interferential Therapy: This is an electrical current delivered to the injured part via 2 or 4 electrodes. It sends two interfering currents into the body part which feels to the patient like pins and needles. It can be used to relieve pain. reduce swelling and optimise the healing process.
• Neuromuscular Stimulation: An electrical machine with variable currents which is applied using electrodes to strengthen very weak muscles. This is very useful following knee surgery to strengthen the muscles that support the knee. Portable version are now available to rent or buy.
• Dry-needling: This is a western medical technique and involves the insertion of fine needles into dysfunctional muscles. Dry needling works by changing the way your body feels pain and by helping the body heal trigger points. Myofascial trigger points are tender nodules within taut bands of muscle.There are electrical and biochemical changes associated with dry needling that assist in the healing process.
• Acupuncture: This is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves the insertion of fine needles. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions. In the area of orthopaedic physiotherapy it is used to reduce pain and normalise movement. It compliments other physiotherapy treatments.
• Taping for joint support/alignment. This will ease pain and facilitate normal movement.
• Programme of Rehabilitation Exercises: Home Exercises are scientifically designed to help your posture, improve the mobility of your spine and joints ,stabilise and strengthen the muscles that support your bones .This will be taylor made  and graded so you will reach your full potential. This is a critical part of your journey to return to full health.

The earlier injuries or disorders are addressed the quicker your recovery will be. We have a wide range of treatment methods used to alleviate pain and help recovery. If you have any issues you need treating then visit here

Ankle Sprain

 Ankle Sprain

The ankle is one of the most common sites for acute musculoskeletal injuries accounting for 75 percent of ankle injuries. Among athletes, ankle sprains are the most common injury yet they are so often mistreated or not treated at all. A consequence of this neglect is a lasting weakness, an unstable joint and repeated sprains. This article will look at the most common ankle injury and its acute management.

Inversion Sprain
Inversion ankle sprains occur when the foot turns in or out to an abnormal degree relative to the ankle. The most common mechanism of an ankle sprain is a combination of plantarflexion and inversion where the foot is pointing downward and inward. The following video is an example of that.

Lateral Ligaments

The lateral ligaments are involved in an inversion ankle sprain and hence most commonly damaged. These ligaments are on the outside of the ankle, which includes the anterior talofibular (ATFL), calcaneofibular (CFL) and posterior talofibular ligaments (PTFL). Injury to the ATFL is the most common. When both the ATFL and CFL are injured together, ankle instability will be more noticeable. The PTFL is the strongest of the three ligaments and is rarely injured in an inversion sprain.

Sprain = Overstretched ligaments
Ligaments are like tough rubber bands that help to provide stability to the any joint by limiting movement. When one or more ligaments is stretched beyond the normal range, a sprain results.

Ankle sprains range in severity from Grade I to Grade III and is useful for more than classifying the severity of the injury; it also directs treatment and prognosis.

Grade	Signs & Symptoms
Grade 1	Ankle sprains are painful, but they have no increased laxity when compared with the uninjured side. This correlates with mild stretching of the ATFL.
Grade II	Ankle sprains are painful and have an increased laxity on testing. This correlates with a complete tear of the ATFL and a partial tear of the CFL.
Grade III	Ankle sprains are usually painful and have an unstable ankle joint on examination. This correlates with complete ruptures of both the ATFL and CFL.

Causes

Common causes of ankle sprains include stepping up or down on an uneven surface, particularly when wearing high heels; stepping wrong off a curb or into a hole. In athletics, common causes include landing wrongly after a jump shot and having to make quick directional changes as in tennis, soccer, and netball.

In essence, when the ligaments and muscles are not able to support the joint at a certain position, the ankle gives way. This is why training the muscles is very important when ligaments are “loose” or overstretched.

Management
Treatment and rehabilitation starts the moment you have sprained your ankle. It is recommended that you start the R.I.C.E.R regime as soon as possible after the injury. An anti-inflammatory drug may be recommended and crutches provided for a few days if the ankle is too painful to bear weight.

Immobilisation using a brace or a cast can provide the injured ligaments with the rest they need to heal and reduces the risk of aggravating the injury. However, immobilisation should not be prolonged and must be followed within a week by exercises that prevent joint stiffness and muscle wasting.

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Symptoms of Ankle Sprain

               Symptoms of Ankle Sprain

Ankle joint sprains may differ in severity so the symptoms may differ. A person with a good ankle twist may really feel pain once they touch the region or when they turn the actual foot within or away. They might have some swelling within the ankle and find it hard to walk without having feeling discomfort. If the actual injury is actually severe they is probably not able in order to walk whatsoever due in order to extreme inflammation, an severe pain or even possible fracture/dislocation.

You can see how occur ankle sprain.