How long does it take to heal a sprain?

An ankle sprain is a nasty sports injury in which a ligament is partially or completely torn. Such injuries are most often the result of traumatic effects on the ligamentous apparatus of the ankle joint. The damage may involve several ligaments at once, not just one.

The ArthroMedCenter Joint and Spine Clinic has been treating sports injuries for many years, using an innovative technique - MBST therapy - to restore damaged tissue.

The increased degree of injury to the ankle ligaments is due to the fact that the ankle joint is an extremely mobile joint, with a large degree of freedom of movement. The lower leg is constantly subjected to a load equal to the body weight (and when performing physical exercises, the weight increases even more). This injury is very common among athletes: if during training a person did not follow safety precautions and exercise technique, then he can damage the ligaments. However, this injury often occurs in everyday life, for example, due to simple carelessness: you can fall unsuccessfully.

MBST therapy

The ArthroMedCenter clinic offers a progressive treatment method aimed at restoring tissue after an ankle sprain - MBST therapy. MBST is a therapeutic magnetic resonance therapy used in clinical practice in the mode of several programs encoded on a chip card. Programs are designed to treat injuries and illnesses.

For ankle sprains, the course of treatment is 7 or 10 procedures, 1 hour per day. At this time, the patient lies on the device and “receives” the incoming energy without feeling discomfort.

There are 3-day programs prescribed to athletes after intense competitions and training, as well as to prevent damage to cartilage tissue. Magnetic resonance therapy uses energy that is produced by hydrogen atoms. In some way, sports injuries are treated with bioenergy, and its use is not associated with consequences for the body and the risk of complications. The procedure can be repeated.

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.

What other injuries can be treated with MBST?

Indications for using the MBST method:

• Achilles tendon injuries.
• Tendon injuries, partial tear of the medial collateral ligament of the knee, or tendinitis due to patellar tendon syndrome.
• Hip (muscle injuries).
• Knee joints (jumper's knee, cartilage and meniscus damage).
• As a conservative addition to cartilage wear/degradation and in cases after arthroscopy.
• Bone contusion/Bone swelling, osteochondritis dissecans or bone necrosis, pseudarthrosis, fractures and stress fractures.

Anterior cruciate ligament rupture - symptoms and treatment

An anterior cruciate ligament injury is one of the most severe knee injuries. The damage is accompanied by a click in the knee and the inability to continue physical activity. Then swelling appears and it becomes difficult to bend and straighten the leg at the joint.

Prevalence

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common knee injury. It occurs in 4 cases per 1000 people and ranks second after meniscal injury. The ACL is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee joint. For comparison, injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament are 15–30 times less common, since it is approximately 1.3–2 times thicker and 2 times stronger than the ACL [11].

When playing sports, ACL rupture in women occurs on average 4–10 times more often than in men [1]. This is believed to be due to weaker hamstrings. There is also an opinion that hormonal factors can influence the strength and flexibility of ligaments. However, this statement remains controversial and remains to be proven [12].

Causes of ACL rupture

Direct trauma - occurs when there is a blow to the thigh, shin and knee. It is more common in athletes, such as football players, wrestlers and boxers. Less commonly, ligament rupture occurs in an accident.

Indirect injury - occurs when there is no direct blow to the knee joint. Can occur due to a sharp deviation of the hip with the torso inward or outward. The lower leg is rotated or fixed. This deviation causes a “twist” in the knee joint, causing the ligament to rupture.

Most often, the ACL ruptures when the tibia deviates outward and the femur rotates inward. This injury is especially common among athletes: football players, handball players, basketball players and volleyball players.

Often, with such an injury, in addition to rupturing the ACL, the internal meniscus is damaged, and with strong twisting, the internal collateral ligament is torn. This combination of injuries is called the “unlucky triad” or “knee explosion” [1]. When the tibia deviates inward and the thigh rotates outward, a tear of the lateral meniscus may accompany the ACL injury.

Phantom foot is an injury mechanism common to ski falls. Entering the snow, the ski track turns outward, and the edge of the ski becomes a “phantom foot.” Since the foot and lower leg are fastened to the ski track with a boot, they twist after the ski track, while the leg remains bent at the knee joint. The resulting twisting causes the ACL to tear. The injury is often isolated, i.e. the menisci and ligaments of the knee are not damaged.

The ski boot mechanism is the name given to an injury that occurs among skiers who use tall, stiff ski boots. When you fall on your back, the thigh and torso are displaced back, while the boot holds the lower leg. As a result, the ACL is overstretched, which can lead to its rupture.

Why does ankle sprain occur?

The ligamentous apparatus of the ankle can withstand quite serious loads, so in order to injure it, it is necessary to make an effort. An injury occurs at a time when the load is distributed incorrectly, that is, it is distributed not over several ligaments, but into one. As a result of overstrain, it stretches and breaks. Increased stress on the ankle ligaments can occur:

• when tucking the outer edge of the foot, the entire body weight will be distributed precisely over this area. In this case, injury occurs due to excessive supination of the leg;
• with maximum extension of the leg (while fixing the foot). In this case, injury occurs to the anterior talofibular and interfibular ligaments;
• in situations where the body weight is transferred to the forefoot (when it is fixed), and the lower leg is bent. In this case we are talking about an injury to the Achilles tendon.
• when the foot rotates (externally or internally), the foot is fixed. Ligaments are injured depending on the direction of the applied load - these can be internal or external ligaments, tendons of the peroneus brevis and longus muscles, etc. If we are talking about excessive internal rotation, the tendons of the tibialis posterior muscle can be damaged.

Types and degrees of ankle sprains

There are several types of injuries:

• turning the foot inward (inversion);
• turning the stoop outward (eversion);
• sprain of the upper ankle.

An ankle sprain can have several degrees of severity, which are distinguished based on the amount of damage to the ankle ligaments: The first degree is minor trauma. This type of injury is characterized by tearing of the fibers, but more than half of them remain intact. Treatment for such an injury does not last long, as does the rehabilitation period after it.

The second degree is a severe ankle sprain. Treatment in this case is more labor-intensive and lengthy than with the first degree of sprain. The second degree of severity is characterized by rupture of a significant part of the collagen fibers (about half). You can observe swelling of the injured area, as well as displacement of the articular elements.

Third degree - complete rupture of the ankle ligaments. There is pathological mobility in the joint, very pronounced swelling and pain in the injured area. It is important that immediately after receiving such an injury, first aid for an ankle sprain is provided, and then the person is taken to the clinic. This degree of severity is characterized by longer and more serious treatment. The rehabilitation process in this case also slows down.

Duration of treatment

The first thing that traumatologists are interested in is how long it takes for a ruptured ankle ligament to heal. Even an experienced doctor will only indicate approximate terms of treatment and rehabilitation period. The age of the patient matters. Children are characterized by an accelerated metabolism, so they recover 1.5-2 times faster than adults. In elderly patients, metabolism is slower, which affects the rate of regeneration of damaged tissue. When making predictions, the traumatologist also takes into account the following factors:

• degree of damage to the ligamentous-tendon apparatus;
• the victim's immunity status;
• a history of acute or chronic diseases.

For example, a person with diabetes has a very slow metabolism. Therefore, even with minor injuries, he may be hospitalized. Treatment of the victim is carried out in a hospital setting under the supervision of medical personnel.

Symptoms of grade 1 ligament rupture completely disappear after 2-5 days. Sometimes a slight hematoma or swelling remains, but the pain is practically not felt while walking. The speed of recovery is influenced by the quality of treatment and monitoring the dynamics of the patient’s recovery. With adequate therapy, a person with ligament ruptures of grade 2 and severity begins to lead a normal lifestyle after 3-4 weeks. In rare cases, the rehabilitation period lasts more than 2-3 months.

How long it takes for an ankle sprain to heal is also influenced by the patient’s discipline. If he strictly follows all medical recommendations, then full recovery occurs much faster.

First aid for sprains

When spraining the ankle joint, timely first aid greatly influences the restoration of the tissues of the injured ligament and determines the time for complete restoration of joint function.

• First of all, apply ice wrapped in a towel (to prevent frostbite) to the injured ankle for 10-15 minutes, repeat the procedure after 15 minutes. Such manipulations will help not only relieve pain, but also stop the spread of edema (under the influence of cold, blood vessels reflexively narrow).
• The injured ankle must be kept at rest, and until an accurate diagnosis is made, you should not lean on the foot. Using a homemade or transport splint, you need to secure your leg. Fixation of the area should be maintained until examined by a traumatologist or surgeon.
• Place a bolster under your leg to give it an elevated position.
• Introduce an analgesic into the body (orally or by injection) if possible.

Clinical picture

grade 1 rupture of the ankle ligaments The victim continues to lead his previous lifestyle without limiting his physical activity. But post-traumatic inflammation progresses. Hematoma and swelling occur, often spreading to the entire ankle. Now, while walking, severe pain occurs, localized in the ankle. To reduce its intensity, a person tries not to lean on his leg and begins to noticeably limp. Symptoms of grade 2 and 3 ligamentous injuries are much more pronounced. What signs indicate ligament rupture or complete separation from the bone:

• pain . Occurs immediately at the moment of injury. Its intensity often exceeds the pain syndrome associated with fractures. As long as extensive swelling has not developed, the victim can move independently. With more serious injuries, any load on the leg causes such severe pain that the person cannot even lean on the injured limb;
• swelling _ The main symptom by which a traumatologist determines ligament rupture. Swelling can form on both the lateral and medial sides of the ankle. With a complete separation, it spreads to the foot, but this condition is diagnosed extremely rarely. Severe swelling persists for 5-7 days and then gradually disappears. Since the accumulation of exudate is always associated with damage to the capillaries, an extensive bruise forms at the site of the edema;
• hematoma _ A bruise is only an indirect sign of ligament rupture. A few days after the injury, it is localized on the injured side of the ankle. After about 2-3 weeks, the hematoma moves down to the foot. In damaged tissues, due to the inflammatory process, a gradual breakdown of blood cells occurs. This is visualized by a change in the color of the hematoma. At first it is intensely dark blue, even purple. Gradually, a greenish tint begins to predominate in the color scheme, and then yellow.

A day after grade 2 and 3 injuries, the victim cannot fully lean on the injured leg and move. The occurrence of edema causes increased severity of pain. This occurs as a result of compression of the sensitive nerve endings by the accumulating fluid.

In severe ligament injuries with rupture of the joint capsule, traumatic hemarthrosis occurs. This is the name for hemorrhage into the joint cavity as a result of rupture of the vessels that supply blood to the internal joint structures. Hemarthrosis can provoke the development of destructive and degenerative tissue changes. To extract accumulated blood, a puncture is performed, followed by treatment of the cavity with antiseptics.

Symptoms of an ankle sprain

Symptoms of ankle sprains appear depending on the extent of the injury and the number of tendons involved in the injury mechanism. A complete rupture of the ankle ligaments is only caused by a sprain. This condition is characterized by excessive mobility in all projections of the joint. The main symptoms of an ankle sprain are:

• severe pain that occurs at the time of injury (fall, blow, etc.);
• swelling around the injured area (around the medial or lateral malleolus);
• bruising;
• extensive hematomas;
• local increase in temperature (in the injured area).

When trying to make a movement, a person also continues to experience pain.

Repeated ankle sprains lead to complete rupture of the tendon. More long-term and complex as well as longer rehabilitation will be required. That is why specialists at the ArthroMedCenter clinic recommend that you consult a doctor at the first sign of a sprain. To exclude repeated injuries, as well as the development of any other pathologies, it is worth carrying out a full course of treatment, including rehabilitation.

Clinic of Dr. Glazkov. Treatment of the knee and shoulder joint.

Clinic of Dr. Glazkov.
Treatment of the knee and shoulder joint. The knee joint experiences significant dynamic and static loads. It has a complex anatomical structure and is formed by the articular surfaces of the femur, tibia and patella.

To increase the strength and stabilization of the joint, the bone bases are additionally connected to each other by strong connective tissue cords. These include the cruciate and collateral ligaments.

The main cause of damage in the form of a rupture occurs due to rotational movement (rotation) in the knee joint while the shin is fixed, as well as after direct physical impact on the knee (impact).

Diagnosis of ankle sprains

The diagnosis of sprain is made based on the existing symptoms, as well as data from such studies as:

• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• ultrasonic examination (ultrasound) of the joint;
• arthroscopy.

X-rays are not used to make a diagnosis, since the ligaments are a soft tissue formation, i.e. they are not visible on an X-ray. However, the patient may be referred for an x-ray to rule out a fracture. The symptoms of fractures and sprains are very similar, in addition, some symptoms can be combined with each other.

Preventing ankle sprains

Ankle sprains can occur in anyone if they are not careful during exercise and outdoor activities. If you want to play sports, do it in suitable shoes and clothing. Walk carefully in high-heeled shoes, avoid potholes and potholes, and watch your step when walking somewhere. Try to fight excess weight, as obesity of any degree puts excessive stress on the joints. Lead an active lifestyle, play sports, eat well. Moderate physical activity strengthens.

How to treat a sprained ankle?

Physiotherapy

• The use of ultrasound - this procedure not only improves microcirculation of the damaged area, but also accelerates the process of lymph outflow. After this procedure, the ointments are absorbed much better, and the drug accumulates in the tissues.
• UHF is used to reduce local inflammation and accelerate reparative processes in tissues. Vasodilation helps improve the trophism of the affected area.
• Paraffin therapy is one of the main activities. The main effect of this therapy is to reduce pain and eliminate inflammatory processes. Can be used in any period after injury.
• Magnetic therapy – promotes the outflow of blood and lymph, enhances the absorption of local medications, and relieves inflammation.
• Electrophoresis with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or novocaine. Pain relief is achieved by dilating blood vessels.

Gymnastics

Any gymnastic exercises to strengthen the ankle joint can only be performed in the long term (about 1-3 months, depending on the degree of injury).

• Development of motor skills of the toes.
• Rolling a bottle with your foot.
• Walking on your heels.
• Running on small pebbles or sand.
• Circular rotations of the foot.
• Extension and flexion of the leg at the ankle joint.
• Walking on the outside and inside of the foot.
• Walk on your toes for a few minutes every day.

Basic principles of therapy

In the treatment of grade 1 and 2 ankle ligament ruptures, only conservative methods are used. Patients are not recommended to wear fixing bandages throughout therapy. After cold compresses, ointments with anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs are prescribed - Voltaren, Fastum, Indomethacin. They relieve swelling and inflammation and quickly eliminate pain. The therapeutic regimen also includes drugs that improve blood circulation:

• Heparin ointment;
• Indovazin gel.

The dosage regimen depends on the degree of ligament damage. It is usually enough to apply an external agent 2-4 times a day to resolve hematoma or swelling. After 3-4 days, patients are recommended to use ointments with a warming effect: Finalgon, Viprosal, Capsicam. Under their influence, microcirculation improves, nutrients begin to flow to the affected ligaments, accelerating their healing.

Immediately after diagnosing a grade 3 ligament rupture or complete separation from the bone, surgery is performed. At the rehabilitation stage, the patient is prescribed a course of venotonics (Phlebodia, Detralex) to restore blood circulation in the injured ankle.