How do the ankle ligaments get injured?
Most ankle ligament injuries are caused when the foot twists inwards. All of the body’s weight is then placed on the lateral ankle ligaments. The anterior and middle fibres of the ankle stretch or tear a in sprain or strain of the ankle. Occasionally small pieces of bone may be torn off with the ligaments. In a few cases, a twisting force on the ankle may cause other damage. The bones around the ankle may be broken, a piece of the cartilage lining the ankle may be chipped off, ligaments connecting other bones in the foot may be sprained or torn, or the tendons around the ankle may be damaged. What should I do if I sprain my ankle? Most ankle sprains are fairly minor injuries, which will get better with simple self-care treatment. The word RICE reminds us of the basic treatment of a sprained joint: • Rest – take the weight off the injured joint as much as possible for a day or two • Ice – an ice pack (a small bag of frozen peas is ideal) can be applied for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times a day
