Lateral Ankle Sprain - Physio Explains
By Ben Gwilliam, Physiotherapist and Physio Team Leader.
Lateral Ankle Sprains
Lateral ankle sprains are a common injury amongst sports and active people. They are characterised by a “rolling in” mechanism of injury.
This damages the ligament on the outside of the ankle. This damage can be graded as grade I, II or III, or as minor-moderate (grade I and II) and severe (grade III).
Grade I - a small overstretching of the ligament on the outside of the ankle resulting in pain and inflammation.
Grade II - a greater overstretching of the ligament on the outside of the ankle resulting in pain and inflammation.
Grade III - complete rupture of the ligament on the outside of the ankle. This can also result in damage to other ligaments and fractures.
Assessment of Lateral Ankle Sprains
It is important to have lateral ankle sprains assessed and treated whether they are minor, moderate or severe. Your physiotherapist or GP will assess the extent of your injury and make recommendations and referrals as needed. You may need to have an X-ray, wear a moon boot and attend an orthopaedic clinic. You may need to wear a moon boot and attend with a physiotherapist. Or you might only have ongoing physiotherapy recommended.
Management
Thorough rehabilitation of ankle sprains is important because of the high likelihood of recurrence on the same side and the high likelihood of injury to the ligament on the outside of the ankle on the opposite side. This is because your ankle gets its “position sense”, or proprioception, from the ligaments around the ankle. This input is damaged when you injure the ligament and needs to be rehabilitated. Early mobilisation of ankle sprains (mild, moderate or severe) has a positive bearing on long-term outcomes.
Physiotherapy rehabilitation involves:
- Reduction in pain and swelling
- Restoration of full range of motion
- Muscle strengthening
- Graded weightbearing
- Proprioception (your joints’ “position sense”)
- Functional exercises
Optimum Allied Health have a team of experienced physiotherapists in Tweed Heads, Ballina, Grafton and Coffs Harbour, and we are experts in managing lateral ankle sprains.
Should you have any questions or need to contact us further, please don’t hesitate to do so.
To book a physio appointment, call 1300 871 249 to book an appointment at your nearest clinic or email refer@opthealth.com.au.