Ankle Strains

Ankle strains are very common among football, rugby, hockey, basketball, and volleyball players. They are almost inevitable in sports that involve jumping, running and turning quickly.

Ankle strains – inversion and eversion injuries

Typical symptoms: Acute pain on weight bearing with swelling and bruising on the outside of the ankle (these vary depending on forces involved).

It comes as no surprise that ankle strains represent one the most common ankle injuries. The most frequent accident is when you ‘turn our ankle over’ (known as an inversion injury): this will damage the ligaments that help stabilise the outside of your ankle. The severity will depend on the force of the initial trauma. This is usually demonstrated by the level of bruising and inflammation that is present. An inversion injury is most common and represents 70-85% of ankle strains.

In high-risk sports such as basketball, ankle strains and ligament damage account for up to 45% of all related injuries (35% in football). Some non-contact sports such as running also have a high incidence rate.

Obviously recovery depends on how severe the ligament damage is, but in the majority of cases both function and stability can be restored under careful management. In the acute stage inversion injuries can initially be managed using basic techniques such as PRICE (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and, if needed, the use of ant-inflammatories and pain killers as prescribed from your GP.

We typically suggest the following rehabilitation sequence for ankle sprains. Weight bearing to tolerance (crutches may initially be necessary) should be gradually introduced in the first two weeks. In the third week, early rehabilitation involves active movements and the introduction of specific exercises that aim to both restore movement and strengthen the ankle. This should also be combined with a focus on restoring balance. This involves improving proprioreception (sense of joint position) and neuromuscular control. In the fourth week, progressive jogging and walking are introduced; tape or strapping can be used to aid stability. Once this is satisfied, running at a variable pace with changes in direction can also be added.