Health Topics for Sports Medicine

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

UI Family Care

Ankle injuries

The ankle joint supports the body's entire weight. Forces equaling three times the body weight can impact the ankle while running or jumping. It is the most unprotected of all the joints and ankle sprains are the most common sports injury.

Acute ankle injuries include sprains, bone fractures, and joint dislocations. The most frequent cause of these injuries is an unexpected twist of an ankle. Over 20,000 ankle sprains occur daily in the United States. A sprain is a stretch, tear, or rupture of one or more of the ligaments that hold the bones of a joint together.

Treat sprains with RICE therapy: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Apply ice to acute ankle injuries right away. A one-pound package of frozen corn or peas covered with a cloth works nicely as an ice pack because the package molds to the ankle and can be refrozen for re-use later. Do not leave an ice pack on the ankle for more than 20 minutes. Severe ankle sprains need medical care and may require x-rays to make sure there is not a broken bone.

Recovery from ankle sprains depends on the degree of the sprain. The recovery period for mild to severe sprains ranges from 4 to 12 weeks. If the ankle is broken, it may take 2 to 3 months for the bones to heal. You might not be able to return to sports activities for 4 months after a broken ankle occurs.

Overuse injuries of the ankle develop slowly. These injuries usually result in irritation of the long tendons that cross the ankle joint. Overused tendons become irritated, causing swelling and pain. Excessive sports activity, training mistakes, improper footwear, and poor form can all cause overuse injuries. If ankle pain occurs whenever you do a certain sports or fitness activity, it is likely to be an overuse injury. Early treatment is key to managing ankle injuries resulting from overuse.

RICE therapy: (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) may also be used to treat overuse injuries in ankles. Rest the affected area, do not use or bear weight (standing, walking, etc.), until evaluated by a provider. Apply a cloth-covered ice pack to the affected area for no more than 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times a day. The healthcare provider may suggest using an elastic bandage to the area to help reduce swelling. The affected part should be elevated so it is 12 inches above the heart to help reduce swelling.

Take medications, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or NSAIDs, as directed on the label and if approved by your healthcare provider. Aspirin or medicines that have aspirin in them should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age. Taking aspirin is a risk for a serious illness called Reye's syndrome.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. NSAIDs should not be taken by anyone who has been diagnosed with asthma, ulcer disease, or a bleeding disorder. Taking NSAIDs increases the risk of bleeding with trauma, dental work, surgery, or if taking blood thinners (anticoagulants).

Acetaminophen should not be taken by anyone with known liver or kidney disease. Do not drink alcohol when taking more than 1 dose of acetaminophen.

When all symptoms of an overuse injury are gone, activity can be gradually resumed. Working the ankle too early will likely cause re- injury. Recovery can take up to 6 weeks. Some conditions may require surgery. After surgery, you generally cannot go back to sports for 12 to 14 weeks.

Use common sense when you exercise. If you feel pain, stop!

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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