As many of us start to return to more active lifestyles and participation in organised sport and leisure activities increases, the risk of acute ligament injuries increases. One of the most common acute ligament injuries we see at the clinic is ankle sprains. Ankle sprains most commonly occur from an inversion motion where the foot rolls inwards, this stretches the ligaments on the outside of the ankle causing damage. Common symptoms of this type of injury include localised swelling/pain and difficulty with weight bearing and walking (if unable to walk or weight bear a fracture may be present). Recovery times for ankle sprains differ depending on the severity of ligament damage.
Acute ankle sprains are the most common acute injury seen at sports medicine clinics in Australia. They often occur in organised sports such as basketball, football, rugby and netball. However, they can happen at any time in our day to day lives, for example when walking over uneven ground or going up stairs.
Below are some of the main causes/risk factors for ankle sprains:
- Participation in sport.
- Walking/running on uneven surfaces.
- Unsupportive footwear.
- Tightness/weakness in the lower limb musculature.
- Poor balance.
- Previous ankle injuries.
Physiotherapists play a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of acute ankle injuries. Physiotherapists can offer valuable advice and education regarding pain management, appropriate footwear and warmups, hands on treatment for pain relief and specific tailored exercise programs to help improve range of movement, balance and strength.
If you have experienced an ankle sprain or are interested in reducing your risk of injury, please call our clinic today to see one of our experience therapists.