Ankle instability or ankle sprain is an injury that occurs when the ankle rolls, twists, or turns in an awkward way. Ankle injuries are defined by the kind of tissue – bone, ligament, or tendon. The ankle is the place where three bones meet the tibia, and fibula of the lower leg with the talus of your foot. These bones are held together at joint named ligaments, which are strong elastic bands of connective tissue that keep the bone in a place while allowing normal ankle motion.
A majority of sprain heels on their own, but treatment to strengthen the injured muscle can prevent a future sprain. Ankle sprains are most common in athletes during sports events. When ligaments surrounding the ankle are pushed past these boundaries, it causes a sprain. When there is a sprain, there are more chances to have an injury to the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Even though ankle instability is very common, they are not always minor injuries. People who neglect sprains and have a long time joint pain and weakness.
How is an ankle sprain/ Instability caused?
A sprain occurs when your ankle is forced to move out of its normal position which can cause one or more of the ankles’ ligament to stretch, partially tear or tear completely. A fall that causes your ankle to twist. Landing awkwardly on your foot after jumping or pivoting. A high ankle sprain is caused by an inversion or dorsiflexion trauma to the syndesmosis, usually resulting from a sudden twisting turning or cutting motion why a person is running on jumping as written above, they are most common in athletes.
A most common type of sprain is an inversion injury, where the foot is rotated inward, which is also called chronic ankle instability. The areas of children have software tissues growth plates near the ends of their bones. The ligament around the joint is stronger than these growth plates, so children, are most likely to experience a fracture than a sprain. A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Car accidents, sports injuries, falls are the causes of fracture.
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Signs of Ankle sprain
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Limited ability to move the affected joint
- Tenderness to touch
- Pain when putting weight on your ankle
- Popping sound at the time of injury
Where do sprain usually occur?
Sprains occur in the joints of the body there is a high chance of injury from fall and trauma within both the upper and lower part of the body there are three common spots for sprains and they are:-
Ankle sprain/ Ankle Instability
This type of sprain generally occurs when the foot turns inward in a new run. It occurs when there is a tearing or stretching, or you can say overstretching, of the ankle tendon or muscles. Pendants are the glue that connects muscles to bones they are composed of strong fibrous cords when it comes to symptoms ankle sprains set themselves apart because they often result in muscle spasms.
Knee sprain
A knee sprain is an injury of the ligaments, tough bands of fibrous tissue that connects the bone or the upper and lower leg at the knee joint. The Joint has four ligaments.
Wrist sprain
A wrist sprain is a common injury for all sorts of athletes. When the hand hits the ground, the force of impact blends it back toward your forearm. This stretches the ligament that connects the wrist and hand bones a little far and this results in tiny deer even worse complete ligament damage.
Wrist sprains are common in
- Divers
- Inline skaters
- Skateboarders
- Skiers
- Baseball players
- Basketball player
- Skaters
Symptoms of wrist sprain are
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness and warmth around the injury
- Feeling a popping or tearing in the wrist
- Bruising
- Loss of motion
- Weakness
Speed up Wrist Sprain
Ice your wrist
Apply ice on the wound or the swollen area for 20 to 30 minutes every three to four hours. Apply it until the pain is gone.
Practice stretching and strengthening exercises.
This would make your wrist free. It would give relief than any pain killers.
Home remedies for ankle sprain
Cold compression therapy For Ankle Instability
In this method, a combination of cryotherapy and static compression is mainly used for the treatment of pain and inflammation after acute injury or surgical procedure. Cryotherapy the use of ice or cold therapeutic setting has become one of the most common treatments in orthopedic patients.
When an injury or elevation has such as tendonitis or bursitis occurs, tissues are damaged cold numbs the affected area which can reduce the pain and tenderness. Cold can also reduce swelling and inflammation.
When ice is applied to the injury within the first 48 hours it gives instant relief to a person also we know that immediate treatment is much better.
Both cold and hot compressions are useful for sprains, as the heat boosts the flow of blood and nutrients to an area of the body. It often works best for morning stiffness or to warm up muscles before activity. It is perfectly best for short-term pain like that from a sprain or a strain.
As cold compression is effective at reducing pain and swelling because the cold constricts blood vessels and decreases circulation to the area. In many people’s minds, this question must arise how does compression help in healing, show the therapy is the healing time of chronic wounds by using control pressure. The pressure pushes out the extra fluid flow to the area. Helps to make the wound heal faster.
Epsom salt in Ankle Sprain
A few days off, applying ice consistently to your sprained ankle, can introduce a warm salt bath. Epsom salt bath is known for soothing sore muscles, helping reduce stiffness. This is a relaxing way to ease your pain while staying off your ankle.
Fill your bucket or bathtub with warm water until it’s deep enough to cover your feet. Add half a cup of Epsom salt to the water. Soak your feet 30 to 60 minutes twice a week.
Epsom salt contains magnesium and may help the body to get rid of toxins responsible for exacerbating inflammation while also reducing swelling, stiffness, and pain.
What not to do in an Chronic Ankle Instability?
Do not rub to the affected area because rubbing can be painful and even worsen the condition.
No matter how much star player you are do not rest for a single day due to a sprain, you should continue playing after an acute injury or things may get worsen.
Always be in a consult of your physician
Do not put pressure on a sprained ankle. Inflamed tissue needs time to heal, and walking on it so soon main cause more damage. Sprains are common musculoskeletal is that can occur from playing sports or from everyday activities.
A mild low-grade ankle sprain will usually heal in 1 to 3 weeks with proper rest and no surgical care such as applying ice. Moderate injuries may take between 3 and 4 weeks of limited blood flow to the ligaments of the ankle, as severe injuries may take between 3 and 6 months to heal.
How to know that you got an ankle sprain, and it’s serious
Stretching light tearing of the ligament with mild tenderness, swelling, and stiffness. The ankle feels stable, and it is usually possible to walk with minimal pain. A more severe sprain but incomplete tear with moderate pain, swelling, and bruising.
In most cases, ankle instability or ankle sprain is not very serious and will completely heal with proper treatment. The amount of time required for full recovery will depend on the severity of the sprain. Most ankle sprain takes a few v to fully heal. But a more severe pain can take a month to heal.