Background
Sports ankle injuries present commonly in the general
practice setting. The majority of these injuries are inversion
and plantar flexion injuries that result in damage to the
lateral ligament complex.
Objective
The aim of this article is to review the assessment and
management of sports ankle injuries in the general practice
setting.
Discussion
Assessment of an ankle injury begins with a detailed history
to determine the severity, mechanism and velocity of the
injury, what happened immediately after and whether
there is a past history of inadequately rehabilitated ankle
injury. Examination involves assessment of weight bearing,
inspection, palpation, movement, and application of special
examination tests. Plain X-rays may be helpful to exclude
a fracture. If the diagnosis is uncertain, consider second
line investigations including bone scan, computerised
tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and referral to a
sports physician. Manage all lateral ligament complex ankle
sprains with ice, compression, elevation where possible and
analgesia. Severe ligament sprains or rupture benefit from
a brief period of immobilisation. After initial management,
the athlete should complete a 6 week guided rehabilitation
program. Athletes with moderate to severe lateral ankle
ligament sprains should wear a semirigid or rigid ankle
orthosis for at least 6 months following injury.
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