Description of ankle ligament injury
One of the most common injuries affecting the modern population is ankle ligament damage. Moreover, in 12% of cases this is due to the presence of tears, tears and sprains in the ankle area. Dislocations or subluxations in the above zone can also provoke a violation of the integrity of the ligamentous apparatus.
Most often, injury to the ankle ligaments occurs during cold periods, when a person overcomes icy surfaces. Often, the cause of such damage can be moving on uneven terrain or jumping from a height.
Causes of ankle sprains
Most often, damage occurs as a result of falls, impacts, unphysiological rotation of the foot, or twisting of the leg while walking.
Ankle sprains often occur in athletes: speed skaters, skiers, football players, gymnasts, paratroopers.
What factors increase the risk of injury?
- excess body weight;
- uncomfortable, unsuitable shoes, as well as high-heeled shoes;
- joint damage as a result of arthrosis, old untreated injuries and acute inflammatory diseases of the foot joints;
- congenital anomalies and structural disorders of the lower extremities, flat feet, features of the arch of the foot;
- weakness of the ligamentous apparatus.
First aid for ankle ligament injuries
Sometimes an ankle sprain is compared with injuries resulting from a twisted foot. However, in this case it is wrong to talk about a sprain, since bruising and swelling occur. At the time of injury, tears occur in the area of the ligamentous apparatus. In turn, when stretched, the integrity of some fibers is disrupted, but the functional characteristics remain unchanged.
If signs of injury are detected in the ankle area, the person should receive immediate assistance. First of all, it is necessary to minimize the load on the ankle joint. This will prevent deterioration of the ligaments and tendons in the future. The following measures should also be applied to the victim:
- Apply a cold compress. This will make it possible to prevent increased swelling and the spread of bruising to nearby tissues. In this case, the patient notes a loss of sensitivity in the affected area, which helps eliminate pain. Moreover, by using a cold compress immediately after injury, it is possible to reduce the duration of the treatment process. Apply the bandage to the painful area for 20 minutes;
- Using an elastic bandage. To ensure immobility of the damaged joint, it is recommended to use a fixing bandage. Experts recommend avoiding tight bandaging, as it can cause loss of sensation in the fingers and increased swelling. However, such a bandage will prevent the occurrence of ruptures in the future;
- Placing the leg in an elevated position. The injured limb should be placed on pillows or on a chair (in a sitting position). This will relieve pain in the ankle joint and eliminate swelling in nearby tissues.
The use of warming agents is strictly prohibited during the period of first aid. It is not recommended to do alcohol rubbing and take a hot shower. It should be remembered that the fixing bandages are removed before resting at night.
Ointments for swelling and bruises
A bruise or sprain of the ankle is accompanied by damage to small capillaries, resulting in local hemorrhage, which is manifested by the appearance of bruises and hematomas. Against the background of severe inflammation, the outflow of lymphatic fluid is disrupted, and intercellular fluid enters the tissue, which manifests itself as severe swelling.
Such processes provoke increased pain, and the presence of problems with blood vessels can result in the formation of blood clots and the development of varicose veins.
Therefore, an important stage of therapy is the use of agents that improve microcirculation and vascular tone. This group includes products containing heparin.
You can use:
- Heparin ointment;
- Hepatrombin;
- Lyoton 1000;
- Heparoid Zentiva.
No less interesting are venotonics containing troxerutin such as:
- Troxevasin ointment;
- Troxerutin;
- Venolana;
- Phlebatona;
- Troxegel;
- Venohepanol;
- Troxevenol;
- Venorutinol.
Usually such products, for example heparin, troxevasin ointment, are not expensive, but quite effective. They prevent the formation of blood clots, improve local blood flow, and resolve already formed hematomas.
Treatment of grade 1–2 ankle ligament damage
As a rule, with a slight injury to the ligamentous apparatus, the patient does not notice any signs of the disease. In the first days, the pain syndrome does not make itself felt even with increased physical activity.
Increased swelling, expansion of the bruise area and an increase in the focus of inflammation are observed in the next day. The patient begins to limp, guided by the desire to eliminate discomfort.
Signs of a grade 2 ankle sprain make themselves felt immediately after injury and are accompanied by intense pain. The appearance of bruising and swelling is monitored approximately 60 minutes after the incident. To eliminate the possibility of a violation of the integrity of the ankle, you should immediately contact a traumatologist.
If a patient is diagnosed with a grade 1-2 ankle sprain, treatment does not require hospitalization. In the first 48-72 hours after injury, it is recommended to apply a fixing bandage and a cold compress:
- It is advisable to use an elastic bandage of medium stretch for 2 weeks;
- A bandage made using plaster should not be worn for more than 7 days. Otherwise, it will be difficult to restore muscle tone.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are considered the most effective drugs when the ankle ligaments are damaged. You can also treat ankle ligaments with special gels and ointments: Diclofenac, Ketorolac, Nimesulide, Indomethacin, etc. Such products are intended exclusively for external use, but they can have a powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
The doctor may also prescribe ointments to restore blood flow. These include Lyoton gel and Heparin ointment. Thanks to their use, it is possible to improve blood microcirculation and provide active nutrition of the ligaments with important biological and nutrients.
Additional information on recovery
Second and third degree sprains require increased caution. There should be absolutely no stress on the ankle, so getting to the rehabilitation point is quite difficult. The situation becomes more complicated if the injured person is alone. You should not take any independent steps. You need to contact someone and call for help, but under no circumstances stand on your injured leg.
Cold liquids or objects you have with you, if any, are applied to the leg. People involved in sports should only have a freezing spray and an elastic bandage with them. If they manage to provide first aid to themselves through independent efforts, they do nothing further. The leg is placed on an elevation and awaits qualified assistance.
On the second or fourth day, when the swelling disappears, begin the exercises. The occurrence of pain requires immediate cessation of the warm-up. Surgeons and traumatologists recommend starting to do exercises as early as possible, but increasing the load gradually.
Warm-up is necessary as a preventive measure to ligament fusion in one position, which impairs the mobility of the ankle, and can also provoke atrophy of muscle tissue due to prolonged absence of any load. This is typical for fractures, since they require long-term rehabilitation.
A speedy recovery is facilitated by the use of ointments with analgesics and anesthetics, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs. The main thing is to pay attention to the injury, undergo proper rehabilitation, and healing will take place quickly and without complications.
Help with grade 3 ankle sprains
More serious injuries may result in complete rupture of the ankle ligaments. In this case, signs identical to a bone fracture appear. The patient loses the ability to move because he feels severe pain and the inability to step on a limb. Such symptoms are caused by changes in the anatomical relationship of the component parts of the joint. Characteristic features of the disease also include the rapid spread of hematoma and swelling over the entire area of the ankle.
In case of rupture of the ankle ligaments, conservative treatment is practically not prescribed, which is due to the following points:
- There is a weak ability of damaged fibers to fuse;
- It may not be possible to fully restore the functional characteristics of the foot;
- If surgical intervention is refused, there is a risk of recurrent ankle injury due to ankle instability.
Planned surgical intervention is performed in case of complete separation of the ligament from the bone. To restore its continuity, bone and tendon sutures are applied. After completion of the surgical procedure, the patient is recommended to wear a bandage made of plaster for 21-28 days. During the entire rehabilitation period, the patient must take medications that improve blood supply to the tissues in the ankle joint. Medicines that expand the vascular lumens are also prescribed: Venarus, Detralex and Phlebodia.
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Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle
Knowing the signs of a sprain is necessary in order to recognize it in time and consult a doctor for specialized help. It is correct and timely treatment that will help in the future to avoid re-injury and chronic damage to the joint.
The main symptom that occurs with an injury is sudden intense pain, which intensifies when turning the leg. Due to severe pain symptoms, a person cannot lean on his leg when walking. This results in limited mobility that ranges from discomfort with a minor sprain to complete inability to move with a grade 3 sprain.
Soon after the injury, increasing swelling is detected, the severity of which also depends on the severity of the injury: from minor swelling to extensive swelling, which can affect not only the joint, but also most of the limb.
With serious injuries, hematomas and hemorrhages occur, and at the time of injury, you can hear a characteristic pop from the rupture of the fibers of the foot ligaments.
Upon examination, you can detect a local increase in temperature and sharp pain when palpating the ankle area.
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.
Cooling ointments
Immediately after an injury, you can use ointments with a cooling effect. They usually contain menthol or oils. Due to irritation of the skin, such products have a distracting effect. In addition, it usually contains an analgesic, which helps reduce pain.
Athletes always keep such products on hand, since cooling ointments can be considered emergency aid. After application, the patient feels a pleasant cooling sensation, which prevents the development of swelling.
For cooling you can use:
- Lidochlor;
- Traumemel S;
- Flexalom;
- Menovazine;
- Ledocaine;
- Sanitas;
- Kapilar;
- Menthol ointment.
Important! Products with a cooling effect are not rubbed into the skin, but applied in a thin layer, waiting for absorption.
Therefore, for convenience, gels that are absorbed faster are preferable. But the therapeutic effect of the ointment is an order of magnitude stronger.
Treatment of ankle ligaments with shock wave therapy
The best effect in restoring the ankle joint can be achieved using the shock wave method. It is based on the influence of acoustic waves, which ensures rapid regeneration processes:
- Hematomas disappear;
- Ensures active crushing of calcium deposits and destruction of connective tissue cords (scars);
- Blood flow improves;
- Metabolic processes are accelerated.
However, in order to achieve a better result when restoring the deltoid ligament of the ankle joint, an integrated approach should be provided - combining the UVS technique with the use of medications. This will allow you to quickly cope with pain when moving, eliminate swelling and improve the motor activity of the joint.
According to most patients, it is possible to obtain noticeable improvements after shock wave therapy after the first sessions. Lost lightness returns, the feeling of stiffness and discomfort goes away, and overall well-being improves.
In our clinic, the SWT procedure is performed by orthopedic doctors with extensive experience, who have the skills to work with special equipment and provide a personal approach to each visitor. At the same time, the first visit to our medical center is carried out with a 20% discount.
Exercise therapy to strengthen the ankle joint and ligaments
Physical therapy can also improve the functional activity of ligaments and tendons. The initial step involves a light warm-up. More complex exercises are gradually introduced. The main principle of exercise therapy is the absence of pain. When engaging in physical education, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Complete rest for extended periods of time should be avoided;
- It is necessary to avoid increased stress on the joint.
One of the most effective and mandatory exercises for all patients with this disease is walking on their heels and toes several times a day. Experts also advise performing extension/flexion of the foot, combining them with rotational movements.
In the absence of timely measures for first-degree pathology, serious complications may arise in the future. These include: diseases of the joints of inflammatory etiology, pathological flattening of the foot, dislocations, deforming osteoarthritis.
The medical center employs competent specialists who will provide first aid, perform all the necessary examinations and draw up a treatment plan, the implementation of which will help avoid irreversible consequences in the future. Our clinic performs X-ray examination, ultrasound and surgery. However, the priority and most effective way to restore the ankle joint is shock wave therapy. When implementing this technique, modern Swiss equipment is used, which allows you to get a quick and effective result.
How to avoid ankle ligament injuries?
In order to minimize the risk of joint injury, experts recommend adhering to the following measures:
- Ensure sufficient and regular physical activity to maintain the necessary elasticity of the ligaments;
- Provide moderate loads on the limb;
- Use comfortable shoes with low heels (no more than 7 cm);
- Perform a special set of exercises to strengthen the ankle joint and ligaments;
- Try to maintain normal weight;
- Timely treat pathologies that have a negative impact on the musculoskeletal system.