One of the more common injuries to the ankle is a sprain to the ligaments.  Ligaments are dense connective tissue that run from bone to bone to add stability. If the ligaments are overstretched and damages is caused, it is classified as a sprain.  There are three grades of sprains: grade I overstretched fibers with microtearing, grade II partial tear of ligament with looseness, and grade III full tear of ligament with potential instability.  The most commonly injured ligaments in the ankle are the anterior talofibular ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament, and the posterior talofibular ligament.  These ligaments run on the outside of the ankle joint and are injured by rolling the foot inward. 

With damage to the ligaments, we also get damage to the nerve endings around the injured site.  This affects our proprioceptive feedback (system that contributes to our balance) which makes us more susceptible to reinjury.  Physical therapy will address all the impaired sites to return our patients to their prior level of function, while reducing risk of reinjury.

Associated Symptoms:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Difficulty walking/running/jumping cutting
• Feeling of instability in ankle  
• Pain with ankle movements
• Ankle Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion