The ankle is a complex joint that supports the body’s weight during movement, making it prone to injury. Strains, sprains, and fractures are the most common types of ankle injuries, caused by falls, excessive joint stress, or encountering uneven surfaces. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the injury, with strains being the least serious and fractures being the most painful and difficult to treat.
The ankle is a highly complex joint that facilitates walking, standing, and sitting, and supports much of the body’s weight during standing movement. With its many functions, it is no surprise that the ankle is one of the most frequently injured joints. The most common types of ankle injuries are strains, sprains and fractures.
An ankle injury can occur when your foot encounters an uneven or slippery surface while climbing stairs, getting out of a vehicle, or just walking. Athletic activities, which can often lead to falls or excessive joint stress, sometimes also lead to ankle injuries. In any of these cases, the ankle may be rotated inward, also known as an inversion, or outward, also known as pronation. If this inversion or pronation is severe, a strain or sprain may occur.
In an ankle strain, one or more muscles surrounding the ankle are overstretched. This usually causes pain, swelling, and possible bruising in the area. Strain is generally the least serious type of ankle injury and can usually be treated at home. The most effective treatment methods for straining include compressing the affected ankle with an elastic bandage, applying ice to the area, elevating the leg, and taking over-the-counter pain medications. If symptoms don’t improve after five to seven days, the injured party should see a doctor to rule out more serious injuries.
A sprain occurs when the ligaments in the ankle are overstretched, sometimes to the point of tearing. While the symptoms of a sprained ankle — pain, swelling, and bruising — are quite similar to those of exertion, the sprain is usually a more serious injury that can require long periods of healing and even physical therapy. An individual who suspects a sprain should compress, ice, and elevate the affected ankle, avoid using it as much as possible, and take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. If symptoms persist after five to seven days, the individual should visit a doctor, who can take x-rays to assess the extent of the injury. Depending on the nature of the sprain, your doctor may apply a cast, prescribe physical therapy, or even recommend surgery.
Fracture is generally the most serious type of ankle injury and, in many cases, the most painful. Ankle fractures can be divided into three categories: stress fractures, simple fractures, and comminuted fractures. Stress fractures occur when the outer surface of the ankle bone breaks. Simple fracture refers to a clean break of the bone into two distinct parts. In a comminuted fracture, the ankle bone is shattered into small pieces.
Treatment options for ankle fracture depend on the nature of the fracture. A stress fracture may only require a cast to protect the cracked area from further pressure as it heals. In a simple fracture, a doctor typically sets the broken bone parts back into place and then wraps the ankle in a hard cast. Comminuted fractures can be quite difficult to treat. Often, a doctor must use surgery to put the broken bone pieces back into place properly, and occasionally may insert pins, plates, or screws to hold the pieces in place.
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