Sprained Ankle

Severe Injury with Ligament Rupture

One of the more common injuries associated with walking or running on uneven surfaces (eg. open fields, dirt pathways or cobblestone pavements etc.) is an inversion sprain of the ankle. Inversion refers to an excessive "turning in" motion whereby the arch twists upward and the tissues on the outer side of the ankle are overstretched and injured. The resulting damage can range from a slight strain of the ankle ligaments up to a partial or complete ligament rupture. In severe cases, the lower end of the outer leg bone (the fibula ) may be fractured as well.

Mild inversion injuries of the ankle typically result in a small amount of swelling with a localized area of bruising. In this case, one of the outer ankle ligaments is probably strained, that is stretched without any actual tearing of the fibres. In more severe injuries, there is usually extensive bruising, swelling and pain present. This suggests that one or more of the three main outer ankle ligaments has been sprained (with actual tearing of some of the fibres). If severe pain extends above the ankle area, the possibility of fibular fracture must be investigated by x-ray.

If you have a history of repeated ankle sprains, this may be indicative of some form of biomechanical and/or muscular abnormality. Because with each successive ankle sprain you continue to weaken it (making it more susceptible to repeat injuries), it's best to have the underlying cause diagnosed and treated. To learn more about our treatment of inversion ankle sprains, click here.