Issue 051
July 2009
By Rosi Sexton.
What is it?
An ankle sprain is an injury that damages the ligaments of the ankle joint. Most common is the inversion sprain, which affects the ligaments on the lateral side (outside) of the ankle. Depending on the severity of the injury, they may be stretched, partially torn, or completely torn.
How it happens
There is usually a trip, fall or stumble that puts the ankle into an awkward position while there is weight on it. In MMA an awkward foot sweep or trip takedown may be the culprit, or it may happen when throwing a badly judged kick.
What does it feel like?
There is a sudden sharp pain over the side of the ankle when the damage occurs. Depending on how severe the sprain is, there is likely to be swelling and stiffness around the ankle, and it may be painful to walk or put weight on that leg.
Who has it happened to?
This is a very common injury that many fighters have suffered from at one time or another. Thiago Alves controversially cited an ankle sprain as his reason for weighing in 4lb over the limit in his fight against Matt Hughes at UFC 85. At UFC 70, Cro Cop twisted his ankle as he fell to the canvas after being kicked in the head by Gabriel Gonzaga. Fortunately, the injury looked worse than it was and the Croatian escaped with relatively minor ligament damage.
When do I need to go to hospital?
If at any stage you have concerns about your injury, seek medical advice. If you have any of the following, then a visit to A & E is definitely in order:
- Trouble putting any weight on the leg
- Visible deformity of the joint
- Constant pain even when not moving or standing on the ankle
- Numbness anywhere in the ankle or foot
- You heard or felt something pop and had immediate difficulty moving the ankle
It is important to rule out a fracture, as this may need to be immobilized with a cast or even require surgery.
Treatment
Immediate treatment consists of RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Ice (not ‘cold spray’) should be applied by wrapping an ice pack or bag of frozen peas in a damp t-shirt or towel and putting it over the site of injury for 15-20 minutes. This should be repeated every two hours for the next three days. A compression bandage can be applied to the ankle to add support and to reduce swelling. Occasionally, if there is a severe rupture of the ligaments then surgery or immobilization may be needed to repair the damage.
Rehabilitation exercises are important with ankle injuries, to prevent the injury from reoccurring. These usually begin with simple mobilization, strengthening and balance exercises, and progress up to running, jumping and hopping. This is best done with the help of a physiotherapist, osteopath or other qualified sports-injury professional.
How long can a fighter with this injury expect to be out for?
Anywhere from a week or two for a minor sprain, up to six months or more for a complete rupture of the ligaments.
What long-term problems is it likely to cause?
The majority of ankle sprains heal well, but may reoccur if they are not properly rehabilitated. Severe ligament tears may leave the ankle weak or unstable even after rehab, and this sometimes needs to be corrected with surgery.
