What is ankle sprain or fractured ankle?
An ankle sprain or fracture is an injury to the tendons, ligaments or bands of tissue that connects and holds bones together in the ankle. An ankle can become sprained or fractured when you twist, turn or bend your foot too far into an abnormal position.
A fractured ankle can be as severe as a badly damaged inside ankle bone (the bottom of the tibia or shin bone - medial malleolus). It may only be a very slight hair crack on the outside ankle bone the bottom of the fibula (the lateral malleolus).
It is not only athletes who suffer with injuries to the ankle. An ankle injury can occur suddenly and without warning even if you are out walking for your leisurely afternoon stroll. The tough bands of ligaments, tendons and tissue that help support and hold your ankle bones in place can stretch and tear causing sprain, fracture or damage to the ankle.
A fractured ankle can be as severe as a badly damaged inside ankle bone (the bottom of the tibia or shin bone - medial malleolus). It may only be a very slight hair crack on the outside ankle bone the bottom of the fibula (the lateral malleolus).
It is not only athletes who suffer with injuries to the ankle. An ankle injury can occur suddenly and without warning even if you are out walking for your leisurely afternoon stroll. The tough bands of ligaments, tendons and tissue that help support and hold your ankle bones in place can stretch and tear causing sprain, fracture or damage to the ankle.
Pulled muscles, torn ligaments and tendons
An ankle sprain can happen when ligaments and tendons that help stabilise and hold the joints and bones in place become stretched beyond their normal capacity or range of movement. Pulled muscles, torn ligaments and tendons can quite easily result from a fall or sudden loss of balance. In most cases it is normally the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle that are injured causing the sprain.
An ankle injury or sprain can be quite painful even when there might only be a microscopic tear in the ligament fibres or a hair fracture to either ankle bone. Ankle injuries are sometimes only associated with sports injuries however, an ankle injury such as a sprained ankle can happen to anybody at any age and it’s not just unique to athletes. Be aware also that an ankle injury can occur quite simply when stepping onto or off a step or walking on rough or uneven surfaces.
It is reported that in the United States thousands of people per year attend their medical practitioner for ankle sprain or ankle injuries ranging from fractures, to pulled muscles, tendon and ligament damage. This highlights the importance of self-care and preparation prior to any activities such as walking, cycling, jogging or running exercises and especially if you are partaking in any kind of sports activities.
An ankle injury or sprain can be quite painful even when there might only be a microscopic tear in the ligament fibres or a hair fracture to either ankle bone. Ankle injuries are sometimes only associated with sports injuries however, an ankle injury such as a sprained ankle can happen to anybody at any age and it’s not just unique to athletes. Be aware also that an ankle injury can occur quite simply when stepping onto or off a step or walking on rough or uneven surfaces.
It is reported that in the United States thousands of people per year attend their medical practitioner for ankle sprain or ankle injuries ranging from fractures, to pulled muscles, tendon and ligament damage. This highlights the importance of self-care and preparation prior to any activities such as walking, cycling, jogging or running exercises and especially if you are partaking in any kind of sports activities.
- Discomfort when sitting or standing in certain positions
- A sudden sharp acute pain that may subside within hours or days
- Discomfort and pain when standing or walking, sitting or even lying down which may gradually worsen over a period of time
- Intense pain as soon as you stand or put your weight on your foot
- Sharp or intense pain when any pressure is applied to the affected area of the ankle
- Some bruising may be seen around the ankle joint
- Swelling of the ankle may occur
- The ankle may be painful to the touch
- There may be limited or restricted range of motion in the foot and ankle
Cause of a sprained ankle or fractured ankle
- The cause of a sprained ankle or fractured ankle may be the result of an accident or injury from ‘turning on your ankle’ on a doorstep, slipping on a wet or icy surface or even stepping awkwardly on the side of a hole or a dip in the roadway
- Ankle ligaments or tendons being over-stretched
- A torn ligament or torn tendon
- Tripping, falling or walking on a rough surface, a stone or a step
- Landing on your foot at an awkward angle can cause a sprain, broken or fractured bone or ankle fracture
- Twisting or turning at an awkward angle when exercising or playing sports
- A pain in the ankle can be from a bone bruise, or a bone break
- Ankle pain can also be as a result of arthritis in the ankle joint
Continuous ankle sprain and chronic pain with instability of the ankle if left unattended may in some cases lead to arthritis developing in the ankle joint. Once the diagnosis of a medical practitioner has been carried out and the possibility of broken bones or a fracture have been ruled out, you have some choices available for consideration.
Self-help, self-care & self-healing options
- It is important to seek immediate medical care and get a prompt and accurate diagnosis for any physical injury, pain, sprain, strain, cramp, rupture, tear or damage to determine the severity of the injury and receive proper treatment.
- Having received a professional diagnosis and medical attention, you have the choice of applying techniques from our self-healing programme which may help to accelerate and hasten the healing process. This Self-healing course, may also help as a preventative measure against future or further injuries, sprains, strains, cramps or physical discomfort.
Register today and start your self-healing journey straight away!
