Acute Ankle Injuries
The most common cause of ankle pain is a sprained ankle. But there are a number of other less common ankle injuries as well as important conditions and ankle injuries which should not be missed! Immediate first aid (RICE) rest, ice, compression and elevation is important for all ankle injuries, especially sprains. If the injury is severe or a fracture is suspected always seek medical advice as soon as possible.
A sprained ankle is one of the most common sports injuries and is also the most frequently re-injured. In the majority of cases the ankle rolls inwards (inversion) under the weight of the rest of the body, resulting in damage to the ligaments on the outside of the ankle.
A broken ankle or fractured ankle can occur from a bad ankle sprain and is a fracture to one of the bones in the ankle.
A dislocated ankle is a severe injury which usually happens in conjunction with a fracture or complete rupture of the lateral ankle ligaments. A dislocated ankle can be a posterior, anterior or superior dislocation.
An eversion ankle sprain is rare and occurs when the ankle rolls too far inwards. It is often accompanied by a fracture of the fibula bone.
A Potts fracture is a fracture to one of the bony parts of the ankle called the malleoli. Fractures can occur to the lateral malleoli on the outside or the medial malleoli on the inside.
A high ankle sprain is an injury to the anterior tibiofibula ligament which joins the tibia and fibula together just above the ankle.
Osteochondral lesions or fractures of the cartilage which sits on top of the Talus (ankle bone), most commonly occur in combination with an ankle sprain.
An ankle avulsion fracture occurs when a tendon or ligament comes away from the bone often pulling a small piece of bone with it.