Ankle Ligament Injury

Ankle ligament injury, also known as an ankle sprain, is a very common orthopaedic problem and it can affect those of us who are doing home or office based activities and also elite sports people.

It happens when the ankle is twisted or ‘inverted’. The most commonly injured structure is the lateral ligamentous complex. This includes the Anterior TaloFibular Ligament (ATFL) which is the most prone to injury.

If you have repeated sprains of your ankle this may mean you have ankle instability, which means you are at greater risk of causing long term damage to your ankle.

Signs and Symptoms include:

  • Pain in your ankle

  • Swelling

  • Bruising

  • Regularly twisting your ankle

Initial treatments include:

  • Pain relief

  • Elevating your leg to reduce swelling

  • Activity modification

  • Ankle braces and splints

  • Physiotherapy

If your ankle is stable after rehabilitation then you may be fine doing everyday activities. However, if you continue to roll your ankle there is a risk of doing further damage to the cartilage and ligaments around your ankle. This can lead to chronic problems like ankle arthritis.

Dr Janan Collaborative Orthopaedic Group Foot Ankle Injury Foot Surgeon Dr Janan Chandrananth Melbourne Ortho.

FAQs

How do I know I have sprained my ankle?

Immediately afterward you will usually have some swelling, pain and difficulty walking. In severe cases you can get bruising around the outside of your ankle and you can have a restricted range of movement because it is swollen and painful.

If you are concerned and you have more pain or difficulty walking than you expect, it is worthwhile to get an x-ray to make sure you don’t have a fracture.

Why do I roll my ankle?

Unfortunately, once you roll your ankle you are at a much higher chance of doing it again. This is because the ligaments can be stretched, and if not treated correctly initially, can lead to cartilage damage (arthritis) and further ligament damage. Also some people are more ‘stretchy’ which makes their ankles more unstable.

Do I need surgery for a lateral ligament injury?

In the majority of cases your initial treatment is non-operative. This involves a period of time in a CAM boot or shoe-wear with ankle support designed to prevent further injury. After a short period of rest, pain-killers and elevation, physiotherapy and rehab are useful to strengthen the structures around your ankle to prevent further injuries. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to have ongoing issues and if so we can discuss further options and strategies with you.

What happens if i don’t fix it?

If your ankle is stable after rehabilitation then you may be fine doing everyday activities. However, if you continue to roll your ankle there is a risk of doing further damage to the cartilage and ligaments around your ankle. This can lead to chronic problems like ankle arthritis.

What does the surgery involve?

We stabilise your ankle by repairing the ligaments whilst also adding further reinforcement if necessary.  If you have potential problems with the ankle joint we use a camera that is inserted into your ankle arthroscopically (via a very small hole) to assess and address the problems in your ankle.