Myth – “It’s Just an Ankle Sprain”

In the clinic this is one of the most common phrases we hear., however, there are some darker truths to know when it comes to this so-called innocuous injury.

Ankle sprains are common, in-fact, they are the most common acute sporting injury worldwide.

“Just a sprain” has become the norm when referring to a rolled ankle.

The truth is a sprain refers to an injury where there in acute soft tissue damage. In the context of an ankle, this means tearing of the ligaments on the outside of the joint.

This tearing causes the ligaments to lose their ability to stabilize the ankle – leaving it open to future injury.

Additionally, it is common for the scar tissue from these tears to infiltrate the front of the ankle joint – causing stiffness and ongoing pain.

Left untreated these injuries can quickly turn into a ‘bad ankle’ that torments you for years to come.

Now for the good news.

Studies show that these injuries can be restored back to full function with minimal risk of reinjury WITH THE RIGHT MANAGEMENT. Ankles are one of the rare joints that have little to no risk of reinjury with effective physio management!

So next time you have “just a sprain” – remember that it can be a rapid recovery forgotten about quickly. OR it can be a headache for years to come.

It all comes down to how you care for it early on!

Book in with SmartMoves to see how we can help you get back on the field quicker with confidence and piece of mind long into the future.