The ankle sprain is the most common sports injury and generally occurs in activities which involve running and jumping (i.e. basketball, soccer and volleyball).

Ankle sprains are generally classified in 3 categories:

• Grade I - These involve a stretched ligament with minimal swelling and pain.

• Grade II - A partial tear of the ligaments occurs with moderate pain and swelling.

• Grade III - Complete tear of the ligament with instability, frequent and disabling pain and marked edema (swelling) and discoloration.

Most patients will give a history of a “twisting” injury and will have difficulty weight bearing initially on the injured foot. Swelling will appear immediately or gradually over 3 to 4 hours. Other patients report they are “apprehensive” about bearing weight on the involved foot.

A sports medicine physician will usually order X-rays to confirm or rule out a broken bone and to evaluate for joint instability.

Generally, grade I or II sprains will be treated functionally with a brief period of controlled immobilization. Icing, elevation and compression are of paramount importance during the rehabilitation period. These components will aid in the reduction of the inflammatory response.

In a grade III sprain, casting or surgical repair are considered depending upon the severity of the injury. Grade I and II ankle sprains tend to recover within a short time frame and progress is usually noted within 2 weeks. A grade III ankle sprain will take a longer period of time to heal depending upon the severity of the injury. With a strong rehabilitation program, carefully undertaken, patients may gradually resume normal activities over a 6 week period.

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