|
|
Ankle Injuries in Sports
Athletes loose more time from ankle injuries than any other injury. Anatomically it is comprised of the fibula, tibia, talus and calcaneus. Its bony structure is considered stable, but the tendons and ligaments that cross the joint are not as strong , especially those structures of the lateral ankle. Eighty five percent of all ankle sprains occur to the lateral side. Some athletes may be predisposed to these injuries because of high arches, tight calf muscles, improper foot wear, and mismanagement of previous injuries. Most lateral ankle sprains are seen in sports such as soccer, basketball and football. The incidence of injury also seems to increase on artificial surfaces. It is important that the severity of these injuries is accurately diagnosed, and that growth plate injuries are ruled out in the adolescent and preadolescent athlete. In some instances the more severe injuries may be treated with total immobilization and non weight bearing . A general rule of thumb is, if the athlete cannot walk off the field without assistance they should be on crutches. Mild to moderate ankle injuries usually respond to aggressive rehabilitation and bracing. If athletes are able to pass functional testing without tape or a brace, they can usually return their sport. However, this is when coaches and athletes seem try to do too much too soon. It is very important that the athlete pays attention to swelling and pain, continue to aggressively strengthen the ankle musculature and if the ankle does act up, modify the athlete's activities. |
|
Schenectady Regional Orthopedics
Search Engine Positioning and Preville Technology Services | ||||
