What is Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain is a common soft tissue injury of the lower leg. It can occur in people of all ages. Due to swelling it can be painful to walk. Ankle sprains happens when one or more of the ankle ligaments are stretched or torn which usually happens when the foot rapidly twists or rolls in an awkward way, forcing the ankle joint out of its normal position.

Ankle sprains range from mild to severe, which is determined by how much damage there is to the ligaments. The ankle joint has eight ligaments that connect the bones of the lower leg to the foot. They keep the joint stable but still allow for necessary movements. Ankle ligaments are stretchy bands of tissue and have a specific range of motion.

If the ankle joint rapidly twists or rolles in an awkward way that is outside the ligament’s range of motion, it can overstretch or tear one or more of the ankle ligaments which can cause pain. It is important to keep in mind that ligaments have a small blood supply hence why it takes longer for them to receiver compared to muscles which have  bigger blood supply. Therefore, if an ankle injury occurred and there is swelling and it is too painful to walk, then it is important to get it assessed and treated as soon as possible to avoid a longer recovery time.

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Instability of the ankle
• Limited ability to move the affected joint

Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, it can take a lot longer to recover from an ankle sprain or a weakened ankle. Putting up with ankle pain will change the gait or the way we walk which can lead to other muscles compensating causing issues up the chain.

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