Ankle Sprain Treatment
Regain your independence, through Fitness Physio's tailored ankle sprain treatment and recovery program in Newcastle.
At Fitness Physio we treat ankle sprains with evidence based care for pain relief and return to sport and daily activities. Evidence based treatments have been shown to be effective through clinical research, giving patients a faster and more successful return to sport and activities.
The anatomy of the ankle joint
The ankle is a hinge joint that is formed by the bottom of your tibia (shin bone) and the talus (bone in the top of the foot).
The main ligaments on the outside of the ankle include the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL). The ligament on the inside of the ankle is called the Deltoid ligament. Ligaments join the different bones together and keep them in place during movement.
On both sides of the ankle running across the the ankle joint capsule and ligaments are tendons that help support and move the ankle during activities.
What are ankle sprains?
Ankle sprains can occur with activities that require sudden changes in direction or when you land in an awkward position resulting in excessive movement of the joint.. The ankle joint and the surrounding tissue are overstretched causing them to become torn or inflammed. Ankle sprains can cause injury to the ligaments, tendons, bone or cartilage.
What are the symptoms of ankle sprain?
Ankle sprains often results in:
- swelling - The swelling is a result the torn tissue as and burst blood vessels.
- reduced mobility - The joint loses mobility from the swelling and sometimes cartilage damage, what we call a chondral lesion.
- reduced range of motion
- reduced strength and function - The restricted ankle movement, pain and swelling can result in the the ankle muscles becoming weak.
What is the grading for ankle sprains?
It is important to get a full assessment as the severity of ankle sprain will affect the type of treatment and time for return to activities.
Current guidelines - Ligament sprains are usually graded into three levels
- Grade 1 - usually a minor strain without tears in the ligaments.
- Grade 2- partial tear in the ligaments
- Grade 3 - complete rupture of the ligaments
What is the best treatment for ankle sprains?
- Ankle sprains are are managed differently depending on the severity of the strain.
- Current best practice for ankle sprains includes ice, relative rest, early walking, strengthening and proprioception (balance) exercises.
- Ankle strapping and braces have also been shown to have an effect on preventing re-injury.
- Clinical guidelines have been recently published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine. FIND OUT MORE
