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1. The most common athletic injury
- Approximately 28,000 ankle injuries occurs in the US each day! Ankle sprain is the most common athletic injury, and is about 45% of all athletic injuries. Ankle sprains commonly occurs in field hockey, volleyball, football, basketball, cheerleading, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, rugby, track and field, gymnastics and softball.
2. Injury to the ligament
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- Sprain is a injury to the ligament, on the other hands, strain is a injury to the muscle. The most common ankle sprain is occurred on the anterior talofibular ligament which locates just in front of the outside ankle bone. It is because ankle is commonly twisted to outside (the outside ankle bone comes down to ground and the bottom of foot faces inside). Sprain, including ankle sprain, is graded from 1 to 3 on severity. Grade1: mild, no significant structural damage, Grade 3: severe, complete rupture of ligament.
3. Treatment of ankle sprain
- When you have an ankle sprain, you need to do RICE for treatment. However, make sure to consult with an athletic trainer or physician for assessment of the injury and treatment.
Rest: Stop physical activities and rest the ankle to prevent further damage.
Ice: Ice the ankle with ice bags for 15-20min at a time.
Compression: Wrap the ankle with an ace wrap to reduce swelling. Not too tight!
Elevation: Elevate the ankle higher than the heart, ex. laying down and put the ankle on pillows. This will also help reducing swelling.
4. Recurrent of the injury
- There is a greater chance of recurrent ankle sprain once you had the injury. Repeated ankle sprains increase risk of osteoarthritis in the ankle. So, Let’s prevent it!
5. Prevention of ankle sprain
- Ask an athletic trainer or qualified healthcare professional to make a prevention program. The program should be focused on ankle strength, balance and motor control. Continue the program at lease for 3 months. The program will help to prevent recurrent ankle sprain.
- Start a lower body strength training program.
- Tape or wear an ankle brace at practices or games. Recurrent ankle sprain is about 70% fewer compared between wearing a brace and without wearing it.
- High top shoes have more ankle support than low top shoes.
We offer prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of ankle injuries. Please call Performance Integration now to 312.841.9445 to make an appointment or to ask questions about our services.
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Reference: NATA News July 2016
