Ankle pain
Please note the conditions below are only possible causes of your pain and many other structures can be the source of your symptoms. Therefore a thorough evaluation by a physiotherapist is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and treat not only the symptoms but also the origin of the pain.
Ankle sprain
Ankle sprain is the most common acute sport injury. The ligaments situated on the lateral side of the ankle are not as strong as the ligaments on the medial side of the ankle and therefore are more susceptible to injury. The mechanism of ankle sprain is an important to clue to diagnosis. An inversion injury suggests lateral ligament damage.
Signs and symptoms:
If the patient were able to weight-bear immediately after the injury and the pain and swelling increased while they continued to play sport or walk, it might suggest a ligament sprain. The location of pain usually indicates which ligaments were injured. The degree of swelling and bruising does not always indicate the severity of the condition. The degree of disability following the injury may give a better indication of the severity. If it is a ligament tear the severity of the condition is determined by instability tests. Grade 1 tear reveals no laxity with the stability test. Grade 2 tear reveals slight laxity with a definite end point. Grade 3 tear reveals gross laxity without a discernable end point.
Treatment:
Initial treatment includes the RICE regime. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Then as pain allows and according to the intensity of injury the following can be done to improve healing and recovery:
Joint mobilisation techniques of the joint involved will have a neurophysiological effect and will help with decrease in pain, stiffness and will restore joint kinematics.
Soft tissue treatment and dry needling of the affected muscles is used to decrease muscle spasm and stiffness.
Rehabilitation: To restore normal control, strength, coordination and balance in the affected structures. Also to restore normal biomechanics.
Rehabilitation: To restore normal control, strength, coordination and balance in the trunk, buttock, hip and lower limb region.
