Ankle Sprain

What Is It

An ankle sprain is a stretch or partial tear of the ligaments stabilising the ankle joint, in over 80% of cases on the outer side of the joint (lateral ligament complex). It occurs when the foot rolls inward during landing or a change of direction, with force exceeding the ligament's strength.

Signs & Symptoms

• Sudden pain on the outer side of the ankle at the moment of the roll
• Swelling that develops within the first hour after the injury
• Bruising that spreads over the following days
• Pain and insecurity when bearing weight, difficulty walking
• A feeling of instability when walking on uneven ground

Cause & Mechanism

Most commonly occurs when landing on another player's or one's own foot — a frequent mechanism in basketball and football — a sudden change of direction, or walking on uneven terrain. A previous sprain without full rehabilitation is the single biggest risk factor for re-injury — which is why full rehabilitation, not just the absence of pain, is the treatment goal.

Diagnosis

Clinical examination (Ottawa Ankle Rules to assess the need for an X-ray, anterior drawer test for ligament stability) is the basis of diagnosis. Ultrasound confirms the degree of ligament damage, while MRI is used when an associated cartilage injury is suspected or when a sprain fails to heal within the expected timeframe.

Treatment With Us

Early functional treatment produces better outcomes than prolonged immobilisation: brief protection with an ankle brace, swelling control, and as early a start as possible to controlled loading and balance (proprioception) exercises — the key element that prevents chronic instability. Higher-grade ligament tears require a longer period in a brace with a structured rehabilitation programme; surgery is rarely considered, mainly for recurrent instability unresponsive to therapy.