Recognition
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If an athlete does sustain an injury to the ankle them proper initial treatment can get them moving toward a speedy recovery. The first step in caring for the injured ankle is to realize what type of injury has been sustained. It is important to first obtain an adequate history of the injury from the athlete. The history will determine how the injury occurred; in other words, did the foot roll inward (inversion sprain) or did it roll outward (eversion sprain). An inversion sprain occurs in approximately 95% of all ankle injuries. Also an integral part of the history is whether or not this type of injury has occurred previously to the athlete. The next step is to observe the ankle for any swelling or discoloration. After that, press on the area to determine if the pain is located more over the malleolus (ankle bone) or in the soft tissue surrounding the bone. Nine times out of ten if the athlete has sprained an ankle there will be tenderness or pain underneath the lateral malleolus (fibula). It is important to rule out a fracture at this time. If this is the first incidence of ankle sprain, or the athlete is under 16 years of age, an x-ray should be obtained to rule out a fracture.
Continue to Ankle Sprain Treatment |
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©2000 - 2009 David Edell Information on this site is not a substitute for physician directed care. Please consult your personal physician for more detailed information concerning specific injuries or illnesses. Last Update for AthleticAdvisor.com: 10/24/2009 12:09:35 AM |
