What Happens in a Severe Ankle Sprain?
The ankle is a delicate joint made up of many small bones and ligaments. Since it supports the whole body, the ankle is particularly prone to sports injuries like ligament tears. Ligaments are less elastic than muscle, so when the ankle is put under stress, such as when it rolls after stepping on a rock, the ligaments can tear and result in a sprain. Ankle sprains are split into three severity levels: • 1st-degree ankle sprain – minor stretching of ligament(s) • 2nd-degree ankle sprain – more severe stretching • 3rd-degree ankle sprain – a complete tear of the ligament(s)Maintaining Range of Motion After a Severe Ankle Sprain One of the keys to effective sports injury rehab after an ankle sprain is maintaining range of motion. Non-elastic scar tissue will form quickly at the injury site and if flexibility is not promoted immediately through a proper sports injury rehabilitation program, one risks permanent reduction in the ankle’s range of motion. A popular exercise used by sports inju
