Recurrent Ankle Sprains?
Why You Shouldn’t Delay Treatment!
However, most people do not fully rehabilitate the ankle which leads to recurrent ankle sprains and in some instances, long standing ankle pain and instability.
Let’s have a look at the anatomy of the ankle. On the outside of the ankle there are three major ligaments: the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). The common ankle sprain usually involves injury to the ATFL and CFL. These sprains occur when the ankle “rolls” inwards and takes the ankle joint beyond the ligament’s length which can lead to a sprain. The degree of ligament tear is classified as a grade of ankle sprain. These grades range from a grade one which is a small, minor tear, to a grade three which is a total rupture of the ligament. Ligaments are very tough and, in some cases, shear off a chip of bone rather than tear themselves. This is known as an avulsion fracture.
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A graded rehabilitation exercise program is key to success!
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2. Bachmann L, Kolb E, Koller MT, Steurer J, ter Riet G. (2003). Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and mid-foot: systematic review. BMJ, 326(7386):417. doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7386.417.
3. Doherty C, Bleakley C, Delahunt E, et al. (2017). Treatment and prevention of acute and recurrent ankle sprain: an overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med, 51:113–125.