Ankle Ligament Injury

The ankle joint is a hinge joint and the functioning of this joint is dependent on the interaction between four bones called talus, tibia, fibula and calcaneus (heelbone). The ankle joint comprises the true ankle joint and the subtalar joint.

Talus, is an ankle bone that articulates with tibia and fibula, which in turn, are both bones located in the lower leg. These three bones make up the true ankle joint, whereas the subtalar joint comprises the talus and calcaneus.

Tough bands of fibrous tissues connect tibia-fibula complex and talus to each other. These bands of tough tissues are medically referred to as ligaments. The stability of the ankle joint depends on how well-articulated these bones are.

The ligaments that are located on the outer side of the ankle joint are referred to as the lateral ligaments. These include the anterior and posterior talo-fibular ligament and calcaneo-fibular ligament.

Deltoid ligament is another ligament that provides medial stability to the ankle joint. If any of these ligaments are subjected to stresses that are way beyond the tolerable limits, these may either get strained or rupture partially or completely. Most of the time, an inward or an outward rolling or twisting movement causes an ankle ligament injury.

An ankle sprain is one of the most common causes of an ankle ligament injury. Rolling or twisting motions while running, walking or landing after a jump or fall are the most common causes of ankle sprains. An inversion ankle sprain is one of the most common types of ankle sprain.

This type of sprain occurs when a sudden twist causes the foot to turn towards the other foot. Thus, the lateral or the outer side of the ankle rolls inwards to the ground.

Running or walking on uneven surfaces can cause this type of strain. Eversion ankle sprain or injuries occur when the ankle twists outwards. Though such injuries are less common than inversion, these may occur while playing sports.

Well, whatever be the cause of such an injury, the symptoms can be quite distressing. The symptoms of ankle tendon and ligament injuries vary depending on the extent of damage to the structures of the ankle joints.

Just as the ligaments connect the bones to each other, tendons attach the muscles to the bones. If the ligaments or tendons get stretched beyond their limits, these may develop small tears.

Partial or complete rupture of any of the ankle ligaments can alter the sufferer's range of motion. Pain, bruising, tenderness, swelling and stiffness of the ankle joint are some of the common signs of torn ankle ligaments.

The severity of the symptoms as well as the recovery time of the ligament injury depends on the extent of damage. An ankle sprain is categorized into three grades.

While the collagen fibers only get overstretched in case of a Grade I sprain, a Grade II sprain is associated with the partial tearing of the fibrous tissue. Injuries that cause the ankle ligaments to develop tears are categorized under Grade III sprain.

When it comes to interventions for preventing such ligament injuries, all one can do is take some precautions. Improper running techniques or use of ill-fitting footwear can make one susceptible to such injuries.

Those who participate in sports that involve jumping or running at high speed and changing directions while running must perform warm-up exercises before training or playing. This is to prepare the muscles, ligaments and tendons for the increased activity.

One must also refrain from running or walking on uneven surfaces. Wearing high-heels can also impact ankle stability and make one more susceptible to inversion ankle sprains. As far as the treatment is concerned, taking ample rest is extremely important for proper healing.

Application of ice, use of compression wraps and keeping the leg elevated will also help in alleviating the symptoms. While the visible symptoms such as swelling, bruising and pain may hint at an injured ankle ligament, an X-ray examination will help doctors ascertain the extent of damage to the bones, cartilage and the ligaments.

Use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs may help in easing the pain. It's important to wear a support brace. If the injury is severe, the patient may need to wear a cast to immobilize the ankle.

Since the ankle joint is not strong enough to bear the weight at this time, it would be better to use crutches or a walker during the recovery period. Surgery is rarely needed for ankle sprains, however, doctors may perform a surgery if the non-surgical treatment options cannot repair or undo the damage.

Due to the poor blood supply to the ligaments as well as tendons, these take longer to heal. If the healing process is slow, doctors may inject a proliferant in order to cause local inflammation and stimulate the natural healing process. Physical therapy is also an important part of the treatment of such soft-tissue injuries.

After the joint has healed considerably, certain joint strengthening exercises must be performed so as to recover the complete range of motion of the joint. Though one may quickly recover from a Grade I ankle sprain, ankle sprain recovery time is longer in case of Grade II and Grade III ankle sprain.

One may take a couple of months for recovering from a Grade II sprain, but a Grade III sprain might take three to four months to heal.

An ankle ligament injury is one of the most common type of sports injuries. Though proper training and conditioning can lower the risk of such soft tissue injuries, if one does suffer from such an injury, it must be treated at the earliest.

Since ligaments take a little longer to heal, a timely diagnosis and treatment is essential for one to be able to get back the normal range of motion of the ankle.

So, if you ever sprain your ankle, consult a doctor so as to make sure that your ankle joint is not affected by a fracture or a severe ligament injury. If there is damage to the structures of the joint, follow the guidelines given by your doctor. The right treatment at the right time will surely pave way for a speedy recovery.