It's Never "Just" an Ankle Sprain
Why you should get that sprained ankle looked at early.
Hydrotherapy or conventional physiotherapy?
Check out this 2024 study on what works best for high grade ankle injuries. The results might surprize you.
It’s “just” an ankle sprain. You hear it every weekend, at footy grounds, netball courts and hockey pitches all over this country (COVID permitting, of course!).
The thing is though, it is never “just” an ankle sprain. Here's why you might just want to get that twisted ankle checked out.
From gardeners to elite footballers, kids to the elderly, we’re all prone to ankle injuries. In fact, 70% of the general population will injure their ankle at some point during their lifetime. The most common mechanism is an inversion injury, where the foot rolls inwards (or inverts) and the ligaments on the outside of the ankle are torn. They are often referred to as a "rolled" ankle, or a "twisted" ankle and are one of the most common sports-related injuries seen by a physiotherapist.
More than 'just' an ankle
Often considered a benign injury (that is, not complicated or serious), ankle injuries cause a significant amount of time lost from sports and work, have a relatively high complication rate and have the highest incidence of reinjury of all musculoskeletal injuries. This places a huge financial burden on sports teams, workplaces and the economy. And it's NEVER just a ligament that is torn. Quite often there are multiple ligaments and tendons injured, some bone bruising, strained muscles, maybe even a fracture. You might have an inversion injury, an eversion injury or a high ankle (syndesmosis) sprain.
So why then, are they so under-rated?
Probably because they are so common. Many of us will have seen or even had a sprained ankle and so might feel confident managing an acute injury. The problem though, as mentioned above, is that lots of different structures can be injured, which impacts HOW the injury is managed and HOW LONG it takes to fully recover.
If you've injured your ankle, keep this in mind:
20% - 50% of people with a first time ankle sprain will develop long term problems, and you are twice as likely to reinjure the same ankle in the following 12 months!
That's not a great prognosis! Repeat injuries can progress to chronic pain, persistent swelling, ankle instability and ‘giving way’, and reduced functional capacity. That means less sport, less time in the garden, and more time away from work.
Early Assessment and Exercise
The research into management of ankle injuries shows that the earlier an injury is assessment and an evidence-informed management plan implemented, the better the outcomes. Early assessment allows for a clearer diagnosis and critical education, that can really speed up recovery times. Following the principals of PEACE and LOVE (thanks British Journal of Sports Medicine for this great acronym!) will help control the injury in the acute phase (days 1-3), and then progressively apply load through a holistic exercise program to challenge your strength, flexibility and proprioception. PEACE and LOVE is a great mantra, and fits nicely with the best evidence for managing soft tissue injuries just like this.
The solution
Every sprained ankle needs to be assessed, preferably early, by a suitably qualified professional and the best professional is a physiotherapist. Why? Because physio's are highly skilled in assessing and diagnosing the structures damaged when an ankle is sprained. They can refer you for an xray or an MRI if necessary, tape that ankle or put a brace or a boot on it for support, provide you with education about YOUR injury, and manage you to a full recovery with graded exercises and intervention to help you return to doing the things you love (or work!).
Remember, no two people are the same and no two ankles are the same. It's never too late to get that injury assessed and to start a tailored rehab program.
If your looking for some more information on the management of ankle injuries, check out theses perspectives from the Journal of Orthopaedic Sports and Physical Therapy:
- Ankle Sprains: Combination of Manual Therapy and Supervised Exercise Leads to Better Recovery
- Ankle Sprains: What Updated Guidelines Mean for You
Do you have ankle pain or sprained your ankle? Give us a call.
We are part of a well-connected network of physiotherapists, massage therapists, podiatrists, doctors and surgeons and can treat and manage your ankle injury or ankle pain with a personalised, goal-oriented and comprehensive management plan.
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