Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain refers to tearing of the ligaments of the ankle. The most common ankle sprain occurs on the lateral or outside part of the ankle. This is an extremely common injury which affects many people during a wide variety of actvities. It can happen in the setting of an ankle fracture (i.e. when the bones of the ankle also break). Most commonly, however, it occurs in isolation.

Patients present after having twisted their ankle. This usually occurs due to an inversion injury, which means the foot rolls underneath the ankle or leg.  It commonly occurs during sports.  Patients will present with pain on the outside of their ankle.  They can have various degrees of swelling and bleeding under the skin (i.e. bruising).  Technically, this bruising is referred to as “ecchymosis.”  Depending on the severity of the sprain, a person may or may not be able to put weight on the foot. 

Finally, there is a third ligament which is not as commonly torn, which runs more in the back of the ankle and is called the PTFL which stands for the “posterior talofibular ligament.”  These must be differentiated from the so called "high ankle sprain ligaments" which are completely different and located higher up the leg.  These connect the tibia with the fibular and are described in a different chapter.

Ankle sprains can be diagnosed fairly easily given that they are common injuries.  The location of pain on the outside of the ankle with tenderness and swelling in a patient who has twisted their ankle with inversion is very suggestive.  In these patients, normal x-rays also suggest that the bone has not been broken and instead the ankle ligaments have been torn or sprained.  It is very important, however, not to simply regard any injury as an “ankle sprain” because other injuries can occur as well.  For example, the peroneal tendons mentioned above can be torn.  There can also be fractures in other bones around the ankle including the fifth metatarsal and the anterior process of the calcaneus.  In very severe cases, an MRI may be warranted to rule out other problems in the ankle such as damage to the cartilage.  An MRI, however, is not necessary to diagnose a sprain. 

Surgery is not required in the vast majority of ankle sprains.  Even in severe sprains, these ligaments will heal without surgery.  The grade of the sprain will dictate treatment.  Sprains are traditionally classified into several grades.  Perhaps more important, however, is the patient’s ability to bear weight.  Those that can bear weight even after the injury are likely to return very quickly to play.  Those who cannot walk may need to be immobilized.  In general, however, treatment consists in the first 48 to 72 hours of resting the extremity, icing 20 minutes every two to three hours, compression by providing an ACE wrap, and elevation, which means keeping the leg and ankle so that the toes are above the level of patient’s nose (i.e. “toes above the nose”).  Those patients as noted above who cannot bear weight are better treated in a Cam Walker boot (i.e. removable walking boot) until they can comfortably bear weight.  In either case, physical therapy is a mainstay.  Patients should learn to strengthen the muscles around the ankle, particularly the peroneals.  It is also important to train in what is called “proprioception.”  An ankle brace can be used in an athlete until a therapist believes that the ankle is strong enough to return to play without it.  Surgery is rarely indicated.  Surgery may be needed in a patient who has cartilage damage or other concomitant injuries.  Ligaments are only repaired or strengthened in cases of chronic instability in which the ligaments have healed but not in a strong fashion.

Recovery depends on the severity of the injury.  As noted above, for those minor injuries, people can return to their activities in sports within several days.  For very severe sprains, it may take longer and up to several weeks.  It should be noted that high ankle sprains, covered in another chapter, have considerably longer return to play.

Outcomes for ankle sprains are generally quite good.  Most patients heal from an ankle sprain and are able to get back to their normal lives, sports, and activities.  Some people, however, who do not properly rehab their ankle and have a rather severe sprain may go on to have ankle instability.  Chronic instability occurs in patients repeatedly spraining the ankle which can cause pain.  Such repeated episodes can be dangerous because they can lead to damage within the ankle.  These patients should be identified and considered for repair. 

Because surgery is rarely warranted, there are not commonly complications from surgery.  As noted above, however, an improperly rehabbed ankle may end up having chronic instability.  It is important to address this with either therapy or surgery before further damage occurs to the ankle.

What is a “high” ankle sprain and is that different from a “regular” ankle sprain?  A high ankle sprain refers to tearing of the ligaments that connect the tibia to the fibula (this connection is also called the syndesmosis).  These are different and much less common than the standard lateral ankle sprains, meaning those that occur on the side of the ankle. 

 

Do ankle sprains ever need to be repaired acutely?  Ankle sprains rarely, if ever, needed to be treated with surgery.  The vast majority simply need to be treated with rest, ice, compression, elevation followed by physical therapy and temporary bracing. 

 

I have sprained my ankle many times, should I be concerned?  Yes.  The more one sprains an ankle, the greater the chance that problems will develop.  For example, turning the ankle can lead to damage to the cartilage inside the ankle joint.  You should see your doctor if this is occurring.