Ankle Sprain
Ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries encountered during sports. Here are some statistics on the epidemiology of this pathology with different sports:
This injury accounts for up to 40% of all athletic injuries. Among athletes, ankle sprains account for up to 53% in basketball. Twenty-nine percent of all extremity injuries occur in soccer and account for the most common trauma in modern dance and classical ballet. In football, approximately 12% of the total time lost to injuries is secondary to ankle injuries.
The vast majority of ankle sprains involve the lateral ligament complex.
Lateral ankle sprains are often under treated, resulting in chronic pain, muscular weakness, and recurrent symptoms of the ankle giving way.
History of previous ankle sprain has been cited as a common risk factor for recurrent sprains. When a patient suffers from an ankle sprain, our podiatrists at Empire Foot and Ankle Center located in Upland and Chino will perform a detailed physical exam and use our technologically advanced equipment such as ultrasound and X-RAY machine to confirm the diagnosis and eliminate other differential diagnosis to provide the best treatment plan.
The conservative treatment for lower grade ankle sprain consists of initial rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) treatment followed by a short period of ankle protection with supportive bracing, early active range-of-motion exercises, proprioceptive training with a tilt-board, and strengthening exercises for the peroneal muscles. It is important to keep the ankle in neutral or dorsiflexion by using an ankle brace as dorsiflexion has shown to reapproximate the fibers of the lateral ankle ligaments.
Currently, the treatment of higher grade lateral ligament tears is not as clear. Satisfactory results have been reported with both primary surgical repair and conservative treatment in different studies.
Our podiatrists in Upland, Chino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Claremont will assess the patients suffering from ankle sprain and provide the best conservative treatment initially, If a patient need surgery, our surgeons at Empire Foot and Ankle Center are well trained to perform the surgeries and have done hundreds of such cases so far.
Dr. Didari is performing modified Brostrom for a patient with recurrent ankle sprains.
If you are suffering from recurrent ankle sprains, our podiatrists in Upland, Chino, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino and Ontario would be happy to discuss different treatment options with you in person. We invite you to reach us through our website, phone or stop by our Empire Foot and Ankle Center in Upland or Chino locations to speak with our associates. Our doctors at Empire Foot and Ankle Center are well trained to perform any kind of foot and ankle surgeries.