Consequences Of A Sprained Ankle

Sprained ankle are the most common injury to the ankle and the long term consequences of an ankle sprain is a common cause of chronic ankle pain. The most common type is the inversion sprained ankle, in which the ankle rolls over on the outside.

Sprained ankle are the stretching and tearing of ligaments - in the sprained ankle the most common damage is done to the talo-fibula ligament (if the ankle sprain is worse, the calcaneo-fibula ligament can also be damaged) - sometimes the tendons also get damaged.

The sprained ankle is often classified as to how severe it is:

First degree ankle sprained ankle:

• Some stretching or mild tearing of the ligament.
• Little or no functional loss - the joint can still function and bear some weight
• Mild pain
• Some swelling
• Some joint stiffness.

Second degree sprained ankle:

• Some more severe tearing of the ligaments
• Moderate instability of the joint
• Moderate to severe pain � weight bearing is very painful
• Swelling and stiffness

Third degree sprained ankle:

• Total rupture of a ligament - there is a loss of motion
• Gross instability of the joint - joint function is lost
• Severe pain initially followed by no pain
• Severe swelling