O
ne of the most common injuries is the ankle sprain. Fitness enthusiasts and athletes are more vulnerable to this injury. Nearly 25,000 people sustain ankle sprains every day. A simple rolling or twisting of the ankle, a minor fall, or simply stepping wrongly off a curb or uneven surface can cause an ankle sprain.
If ankle sprains are not treated appropriately, it can aggravate the condition and prolong the tenure of disability. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler of the Knee & Shoulder Institute provide ankle injury treatments to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and surrounding locations.
Ankle Anatomy
The ankle ligaments attach bone to bone through their origins and insertions in the ankle. The fluid, kinematic motion of the ankle joint is enabled by these ligaments, and provides stability and balance to the ankle. Therefore, any injury to the ankle ligaments can have a significant impact on the patient’s stability, movement, and balance.
Some of the commonly injured ankle ligaments include:
- Anterior talofibular ligaments
- Calcaneofibular ligament and the deltoid ligament
Major ankles bones such as the tibia, talus and fibula receive stability from these ligaments. An ankle sprain occurs when the ligament goes through a tear, stretch, or strain. Depending on the severity of the condition, the sprain can be classified as Grade I, Grade II, or Grade III.
The surgeon may sometimes take x-rays to determine that there is no dislocation, fracture or subluxation. In case of significant swelling or bruising, a physical examination may not be enough to conclude a dislocation or fracture. Dr. Bigler and Dr. Thomas are board certified orthopedic surgeons receiving patients from Las Vegas, Nevada and nearby areas.
Treatment
In case of ankle sprains, the basic treatment modalities include plenty of rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medication. Depending on the degree of the injury, immobilization of the ankle may be recommended. In any case, the ankle injury rehabilitation should include a systematic plan to strengthen the proprioception of the ankle. Proprioception is essentially the ability to gauge where the extremity is in space, relative to the bodily movement.
Following an ankle injury, it is very important for the patient to re-train and fortify the ankle once again. In many cases, when a person sustains this injury, they may lose a sense of where their ankle is in relation to their basic body movements and surroundings. This can create stability and balance challenges, which can hamper movement and athletic performance, and heighten the risk of further injury.
Ankle Proprioception Exercises
Certain exercises can help to re-strengthen the ankle and improve its stability and balance. Ankle flexion and extension exercises are aimed at reinforcing the ankle strength and improving muscular strength of the leg. Ankle circle exercises can be performed with or without a pulley or cable.
Ankle ball rotations can be performed to enhance proprioception as the patient rolls the ball in multiple directors. It is recommended that the patient should consult with an orthopedic surgeon before conducting any type of exercises to restore ankle health.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9394