Foot / Ankle

What is an ankle sprain?

A sprain is damage to a ligament. The ankle is stabilised by two main ligaments, the medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament, itself made up of three bundles (anterior, middle and posterior).

The most common sprain involves the lateral ligament. It can be benign if the ligaments are simply distended, or serious if they are torn.

A sprain generally occurs when your ankle ‘twists’. It usually causes pain, swelling (‘pigeon's egg’) and difficulty moving the ankle. Small blood vessels in the joint may also be torn, resulting in a bruise (haematoma).

What are the signs of a serious ankle sprain?

The pain, which can be very strong, bordering on syncope, or not felt at all, is not proportional to the seriousness of the injury. On the other hand, a cracking sensation at the time of injury or immediate swelling are generally signs of a ligament rupture.

If this is the case, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to rule out other pathologies, such as a fracture, which could require surgery, and to determine the severity of the sprain.

What treatments are available?

Treatment depends on the severity of your sprain.

A mild sprain generally requires only simple local treatment, with the wearing of an ankle brace. The magnetic ankle brace will relieve swelling, pain and support of the ankle. Auris therapeutic magnets, which are more practical than ice, will have the same effect.

A severe sprain may require immobilisation in plaster, which allows the ligament to heal, or surgical treatment such as suturing the ligament.

How can recurrences be avoided?

Preventing recurrence means ensuring that your injury is treated quickly and that your rehabilitation is properly monitored.

• It is strongly recommended that you wear an ankle brace when you return to sport.
• You should also remember to warm up and wear good shoes.
• Regular proprioception exercises help to improve control of the joint.

It is important to treat the first episode of a sprain carefully to avoid possible after-effects, such as pain or instability of the joint, which will then be more difficult to treat.