Lateral Ankle Sprains
Lateral Ankle Sprain
What exactly is a lateral ankle sprain?
An ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries to happen while playing sports. In an ankle sprain, the word lateral refers to the outside of the ankle, while medial refers to the inside. In a lateral ankle sprain, the ankle rolls inwards with the lateral side facing downwards. If you’ve experienced this, you may have noticed a higher likelihood of spraining the same ankle. That’s because a lateral ankle sprain has a very high rate of reinjury and can lead to long term ankle instability.
Illustration depicting main lateral ankle ligaments
The Anatomy
Our ankle is made up of 3 joints with ligaments that wrap around these joints to provide stability so we can walk, run, jump, and much more.
The 3 main ligaments on the outside of our ankle are the:
- anterior talofibular ligament
- calcaneofibular ligament
- posterior talofibular ligament
A lateral ankle sprain happens when one or more of these ligaments are overstretched. This often happens when the foot is pointed down and inwards. The ankle is often in this vulnerable position while running, rapidly changing directions/cutting, or landing from a jump.
There are fewer ligaments on the outside of our ankles than the inside, making the ankle more likely to roll inwards. This makes lateral ankle sprains a more common injury than medial ankle sprains.
What makes someone more likely to experience lateral ankle sprains?
Some factors include:
- Age - females 10-14 years old, and males 15-19 years old are statistically the most likely age group to experience a lateral ankle sprain.
- History of a previous ankle injury – doubles the chances of sprains on the same ankle
- Weak ankle and hip muscles
- Being overweight
- Court and field sports with lots of running, jumping, or rapid direction changes
Signs and Symptoms of a lateral ankle sprain
- A rapid downward and inward movement of the foot, commonly after the foot makes initial contact with the ground
- Less range of motion in the ankle in one or more directions
- Losing balance on the spot or while moving
- Weakness in the ankle, especially with turning the foot outwards
- Swelling or discolouration around the ankle
- Pain or difficulty with hopping, single leg balance, walking, or weight-bearing
I’ve had a recent ankle injury, and I’m pretty sure it’s an ankle sprain. If I just let it be, will it heal on its own?
Even though lateral ankle sprains are relatively harmless, it’s important to take proper recovery approaches to prevent chronic ankle instability – essentially, preventing long term pain, swelling, weakness, and instability. Current research indicates that up to 40% of people who experience a lateral ankle sprain can develop chronic ankle instability within 12 months after the injury. A physiotherapist can guide you towards an appropriate recovery process following a lateral ankle sprain. If you have a sprain or suspect you do and want to see a physiotherapist, Book your assessment today!
Blog Author
This blog was written by our Physiotherapy Student, Christine!
She is completing her Master of Physiotherapy degree at the University of Western Ontario, and just completed her placement at Break Free the Summer of 2022. She is from Markham, Ontario, received her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at McMaster University, and is about to enter her final year at Western in Fall 2022.
