ATHLETIC ANKLE SPRAINS

Abstract

Ankle injuries are prevalent among athletes, with lateral ligament sprains constituting the majority. The medial ligament complex, distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, and any bones comprising the ankle joint may also sustain injuries. Common injury mechanisms encompass inversion-plantarflexion and external rotation of a supinated, dorsiflexed, or pronated foot. Lesions of the ankle manifest with analogous signs of pain, edema, and soreness. Consequently, a comprehensive history and physical examination must be conducted to establish an accurate diagnosis. This is particularly crucial for athletes, as specific injuries may result in career termination if not treated promptly and correctly. Imaging may be beneficial in certain instances to verify or exclude differential diagnosis. The majority of injuries can be effectively handled by conservative methods, employing the Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation regimen, succeeded by an extensive rehabilitation program. Surgery is indicated for grade III ligament rips that do not respond to initial conservative treatment and for displaced fractures that are unlikely to heal without surgical intervention. The purpose of this study is to address the common ankle injuries observed in the sports population and the methods to their diagnosis and therapy.