Ankle sprain: first aid, treatment, causes, symptoms

An awkward, sudden movement may result in injuries caused by stretching, as well as partial or complete rupture of the tissues connecting bones and joints.

An ankle sprain is not considered a serious problem; in some categories of people, such as professional athletes, it is a common occurrence that can be dealt with on your own after first aid for a sprained ankle.

However, with repeated injuries, the stability of the joint is reduced, which can cause serious consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to properly and promptly treat an ankle sprain.

Causes of ankle sprains

Sprains occur when walking in heels, when slipping, in beginning athletes who have not yet mastered the correct training technique.
The likelihood of sprains is higher if the following factors are present:

• uncomfortable shoes;
• too high or low instep;
• sedentary or hyperactive lifestyle;
• arthritis, arthrosis, history of diabetes mellitus;
• overweight.

How to strengthen your ankle?

If your legs hurt

Discomfort in the legs can be a symptom of various diseases that require urgent medical attention. Find out what leg pain means.

• While sitting on a chair, try writing the letters of the alphabet in the air with your toes. Repeat the same with the other leg.
• At least 20 times a day, while walking, focus on how the muscles and ligaments of your foot and ankle move. Try to keep every step controlled.
• Use your bare toes to grab various objects on the floor. Start with a rolled towel, gradually pulling it towards you. Pick up plastic cups, matchboxes, large buttons and coins.
• Gently press the sole of your foot against a stationary object in the four directions of ankle movement: up, down, in, out.

Degrees of stretch

There are three degrees of injury:

1. With a mild sprain, only some fibers are injured, the pain is not severe, and quickly passes after first aid for sprained ankle joints. The joint is functioning normally. Performance is restored within 1–2 weeks.
2. When a moderate muscle strain occurs, about half of the muscle fibers are damaged, the pain is sharp, severe, constant, swelling and hematomas are possible. The functionality of the joint is impaired. Treatment until complete recovery takes up to 4–5 weeks.
3. In the case of a severe, severe sprain of the ankle, almost all muscle fibers are destroyed, acute pain does not go away for a long time, and the joint is incapacitated. Depending on how an ankle sprain is treated, the recovery period ranges from three months to six months.

Ankle joint: how to treat dislocation and subluxation

If you experience joint pain

ankle, which means you most likely have a sprain or subluxation. It is necessary to consult a doctor so that he can correctly diagnose the injury and prescribe treatment. Otherwise, undesirable consequences for your leg are possible. For example, it may become very swollen or a dislocation will sooner or later lead to a fracture.

What is the difficulty?

The ankle joint includes three bones: the tibia, fibula, and talus. When they move relative to each other, a dislocation occurs. Just because your ankle is swollen does not mean you have a fracture. Most likely it's just a dislocation. But you still have to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. After all, even if there is no fracture, you still pulled the ligaments.

If an ankle injury occurs, you twist your leg, then it is usually hidden. But a situation is possible when it will be open. In this case, it is clear that you have a fracture. If the foot turns outward or inward, then, first of all, the ligaments are injured. In the first case, these are the fibula, and in the second case, the tibia. The foot will also be turned in one of the directions.

Damage level

How to properly brace the leg depends on the extent of the injury. There are several types of it:

• A sprain characterized by the rupture of individual fibers, since stretching the ligaments itself is impossible, because these are not elastic tissues. The ankle joint is usually swollen and painful. The patient can partially move.
• A tear characterized by swelling and hematomas. A person experiences pain even while lying on the sofa. It's very painful to move.
• Rupture if complete dislocation occurs. In this case, the leg moves noticeably. The patient cannot move his foot or step on it. The leg swells greatly and a hematoma is visible.

With subluxation, the integrity of the ligaments is in any case compromised. If a person is overweight, then such injuries will happen to him more often than to thin ones. The more and more often dislocations occur, the more dangerous it is for the leg, since the cartilage tissue is destroyed, which ultimately leads to arthrosis. It is for this reason that you should always consult a doctor, even if the injury is minor.

How to classify

Classification of dislocations:

• From the inside, if the ankle breaks from behind;
• Externally, if the fracture is external;
• Posterior injury, if the tibia breaks;
• Anterior, if the joint is injured, several fractures of the tibia occur.

The problem is divided into the following types:

• Combined, when several types of injuries occur at once;
• With ligament rupture;
• With an ankle broken in two or three places;
• Tearing or rupture of many ligaments, as well as dislocation of the joint.

If you do not start treatment immediately, or if you do it incorrectly, then problems will arise when walking, there will be a constant feeling of pain, and arthrosis will also develop. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor after injury. Especially if you suspect you have a dislocation or subluxation.

Causes of ankle sprain

The following problems may be the cause:

• A person may hit himself;
• A person may fall;
• Careless turn of the foot;
• A person may place their foot inaccurately;
• Weakening of tissues with age if you do not exercise;
• Underdevelopment of the tibia;
• With a high arch of the foot;
• Previously received sprain injury;
• Neuromuscular muscle disorder;
• Incorrect foot placement, resulting in weakened muscles.

If a person suffers from certain diseases, then he may experience discomfort, as his leg will constantly be dislocated. If you suffer:

• Tuberculosis;
• Diabetes mellitus;
• Oncological diseases;
• Obesity;
• Muscle paresis;
• Inflammation of ligaments or tendons;
• Pathology during development in the womb.

What are the possible symptoms?

If a person has experienced a fracture, a simple bruise or a dislocation of the ankle joint, he will feel approximately the same. It is impossible to stand on my leg; it swells and hurts even at rest. In order to exclude a fracture, they first take an x-ray, then, if it is a dislocation, they numb the leg and set the bone. For bruises and sprains, apply an elastic bandage.

Symptoms of injury:

1. Swelling of the leg;
2. Swelling of the foot, the more complex the injury, the greater it will be;
3. Pain;
4. Painful palpation;
5. It is difficult to lift the leg, there is a feeling of discomfort.

Dislocation is usually accompanied by a crunching or clicking sound. The temperature of the damaged area of ​​the body rises, and general malaise is possible.

How to help

A person who has suffered a dislocation needs to be given first aid. Start by removing your shoes and socks to improve circulation. This is the case if the injury is minor; in difficult situations it is better to leave everything as it is.

You need to place your leg on something soft and lift it up. The first day it is necessary to apply cold. To relieve severe pain, you can take analgin or similar medications from this group. Now call your doctor.

How to relieve pain

By applying a cold compress to the damaged area, you can reduce pain and also remove swelling. It is necessary to take anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, Ibuprofen, which relieve pain, you can use Pentalgin, and resolving hematomas, in particular, Troxevasin.

How to realign a joint

If you have sprained your ankle, then you should definitely visit an orthopedist.
The doctor must hear from the patient how the injury was sustained, as well as how he feels. After palpation, the specialist is convinced of the patient’s words by prescribing an MRI or X-ray. The joint is then realigned. This is done either by surgery or by palpation. The leg is pulled sharply towards itself, or under general anesthesia, the surgeon inserts the bone into place. Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

First aid for ankle sprains

Since no one is immune from injury, you need to know what to do if you sprain your ankle.

As first aid for a sprained ankle, you should:

• remove your feet from shoes;
• ask the victim to take a comfortable position;
• elevate your leg to reduce swelling;
• apply a cold compress to the sore area for two to three hours to relieve swelling, taking half-hour breaks to avoid the risk of hypothermia;
• provide fixation of the damaged area by applying a bandage;
• To relieve pain, you can give the victim an over-the-counter pain reliever. Anti-inflammatory drugs and ointments can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

First aid

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Immediate treatment for a torn ankle involves four main steps:

• Limited mobility
• Application of cold
• Applying a pressure bandage
• Elevating the injured limb

Swelling and pain in the ankle area is usually caused by edema, so this should be kept to a minimum. Try not to move
the injured limb for at least a day.
Apply ice
wrapped in a thin towel to the ankle area.
To avoid frostbite, do not leave ice in one place for more than 20 minutes. It is enough to apply cold for 20 minutes every two hours during the first 24 hours after injury to significantly reduce the likelihood of swelling. To limit mobility in the ankle joint, wrap your ankle with an elastic bandage
.
It should cover the foot from the toes and end at the shin. Lie down and elevate your injured leg
above the level of your heart to allow blood to flow out. If swelling does not go away or you are unable to put weight on your foot within 48 hours, be sure to seek medical attention. Returning to active sports activities is possible only after the complete disappearance of pain and limited mobility in the ankle. It is better to start classes with regular light warm-up exercises that do not require a large range of motion of the ankle.

Treatment

In case of a mild sprain, it is enough to provide the victim with qualified, quick assistance. For more severe injuries, you need to call a doctor - only he will determine how to treat an ankle sprain effectively and safely.

Therapy consists of taking medications with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. After eliminating the swelling, the doctor will recommend taking medications that improve blood microcirculation, applying absorbable ointments and warming medications.

Physiotherapy for ankle ligament injuries

For those wondering how to treat an ankle sprain, undergoing physical therapy is a must step. When implementing such measures, you can get a more tangible positive effect than after taking medications.

In case of first and second degree injuries, physiotherapy should be resorted to within 72 hours after the start of treatment. They can also be performed after surgery, during the rehabilitation period. An experienced specialist will help you choose the most effective physiotherapy procedures. At the same time, he takes into account the individual nuances of each patient, as well as:

• Intensity of damage;
• The ability of tissues to regenerate;
• Presence in the anamnesis of pathologies caused by malfunctions of the cardiovascular system.

Initially, the patient is recommended to undergo a procedure that involves exposure to direct electric current and special medications. For this purpose, a cotton swab soaked in a special medicine is applied to the damaged area, and metal plates are placed on it. By using electrical impulses, the medicine can reach the deepest layers of tissue. As a rule, during the procedure, agents with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are used. In some situations, to speed up the process of fusion of ligaments that were previously torn from the base, it is recommended to use chondroprotectors.

Also during the recovery period, the following techniques can be used: ultrasound exposure, paraffin baths, magnetic therapy and shockwave therapy.

Recovery after a sprain

The rehabilitation period for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury, the age and physical condition of the patient. On average, the healing period can last for 1–5 months.

This period can be divided into three stages:

1. Reduced symptoms of the acute period. Physiotherapy and massage of the ankle and calf muscles are indicated to speed up healing.
2. Preventing muscle atrophy and joint contracture. Exercise therapy in water can help increase the range of motion of a joint.
3. Preparing the patient for normal exercise. For this purpose, the exercise therapy complex includes strength exercises and active exercises in the gym.

What reasons lead to stretching?

The root cause of an ankle injury is the foot being in an incorrect position when it turns inward. There are other factors that lead to stretching:

• supination or high arch of the foot;
• underdeveloped foot and peroneal muscles, which often occurs against the background of intense training for other muscle groups, when the main focus is on the bench press and training on machines to the detriment of the lower extremities;
• contrary to the previous point, ligaments can weaken as a result of minimal human activity, which leads to their softening when the bones are poorly held together;
• size disproportion and disproportionate bone growth;
• disruption of the neuromuscular junction, which leads to involuntary ankle twisting;
• Having suffered minor sprains and sprains in the past, which makes the ankle unstable and weak.

Often, ligaments are subject to constant stretching in people who take steps incorrectly - turning or turning the foot inward or outward at a large degree. This type of walking habit weakens the ankle joint, and the ligaments inevitably become injured in the long run.

What is important for ankle ligament rehabilitation?

Prevention of sprains

Preventive measures are very simple and can be implemented regardless of the level of physical activity:

• choose comfortable shoes for everyday wear and sports;
• regularly engage in moderate physical activity to maintain muscle tone and strengthen the ligamentous apparatus;
• avoid injuries and falls.

Shoe selection

Sprains are common among those who wear high-heeled shoes that do not provide enough support to the foot. To avoid this, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes with low heels (up to 6–7 cm), and be sure to have a set of sports shoes and accessories for sports.

General recommendations

When actively involved in sports, it is advisable to always have painkillers and an elastic bandage on hand to fix the joint in case of sprain. Self-fixing bandages of varying degrees of extensibility are best suited.

How does MBST work?

The principle of operation of this therapeutic method is based on the fact that tissue metabolism is regulated by electric and magnetic fields. And if in a healthy organ or system the processes of regeneration, that is, renewal, occur independently, then in case of dysfunction they require impulse influence from the outside. In MBST therapy, magnetic resonance is used as such an impulse, which sends signals to diseased tissues that reproduce signals from a healthy body system. Normalized metabolism allows you to resume the regeneration process in the cells of cartilage, bone tissue, tendons, etc. This allows you to eliminate the cause of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and not only relieve the patient from the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

Based on research, physicists and engineers were able to design equipment for the non-surgical treatment of sports injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Scientific and clinical studies have fully confirmed the restoration of cartilage using this method, and the method itself has been patented under the name MBST. This is the first and so far only therapeutic method that uses magnetic resonance for chronic and osteoarticular diseases. It has been officially approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis and has been used for more than 15 years in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Spain, Great Britain, Italy, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and more recently in Turkey, Malaysia, the Philippines , in the Netherlands, in China and in India.

Complications and prognosis

No injury goes away without a trace, especially when it comes to damage to ligaments, because the latter recover very slowly. Even a minor injury is fraught with serious complications, but after more severe injuries they occur even more often. These include:

• sprained ankle;
• flat feet;
• arthritis and arthrosis;
• tendonitis - inflammation of the tendons.

After mild to moderate sprains, the prognosis is generally favorable. In particularly severe cases, there is a high probability of an unfavorable prognosis, such as the development of lameness.

Symptoms of a sprain

The degree of ankle ligament injury varies in severity:

• Minor (mild). The ligaments are injured, but not torn.
• Partial (incomplete). Accompanied by local subcutaneous hemorrhage and mild swelling. The bluish and black spots caused by injury hurt when pressure is applied to them. Severe pain also occurs while walking.
• Spicy. The injured area swells, a severe hematoma forms, often indicating separation and rupture of the ligaments. The person is unable to move normally, and the joint becomes unstable.

Self-medicating a sprain is strongly discouraged. Otherwise, there is a high probability of inadequate recovery, leading to chronic instability of the lateral ankle ligaments and regular injury. It occurs both during physical activity and walking over rough terrain, and during ordinary leisurely and measured walking.

Flexibility

Improving ankle flexibility helps the ankle move and stretch as needed to support body weight. There are a number of exercises aimed at increasing flexibility in the ankle joint.

Calf stretch

• Stretching the muscles with a towel, band, or other object can increase flexibility.
• Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you.
• Place a towel or tape around the balls of your feet and gently pull your feet back so your toes point toward your body.
• Do this without bending your knees, which should cause a slight stretch in your calf muscles and the back of your leg.
• Hold the stretch for 30 seconds if it does not cause pain.

Standing calf stretch

• Place your hands on the wall at approximately eye level.
• Take a small step back with your affected leg.
• Keeping your leg flat on the floor, gently bend your other leg at the knee, feeling a stretch in your calf. Hold for 30 seconds.
• After that, repeat the same action, but this time bend your knee slightly. This will stretch the other part of the calf. Hold for 30 seconds.
• Repeat this exercise three times.