Sports Injury Info

Question - Ankle Sprain (football "soccer" injury)

by J. Sinclair
(UK)

My son sustained an ankle injury during a football match. He was defending the ball with his right foot, the ball was being kicked at the time it made contact with the ankle.
The ankle seemed dislocated and my son's natural reaction was to grab the ankle which he then felt pop back in.

He has severe swelling all around the ankle and pain on the inner side of the ankle.
The hospital could find no sign of a break and sent him home on crutches without any strapping.
He has regularly iced it and dipped it in cold water followed by hot water and iced and elevated it.

There is red bruising around the front of the foot at the end of the leg and obviously severe swelling all over it.

From what I have described can you tell me whether you feel this is a grade 1,2,or 3 strain or even related to the Deltoid ligament?

Would this be an eversion injury and should I seek help from a trained physiotherapist to help rehabilitate his foot so he can continue playing football eventually?

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Question - Ankle Sprain (football "soccer" injury)

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Aug 06, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Could be an eversion sprain...
by: Bart - SII

It could be an eversion sprain from what you describe. It could also be a nasty contusion along with a sprain. If he did suffer a partial dislocation, then it would probably be classified as a grade 3 sprain. Without an MRI to look at soft tissue damage, it would be hard to determine if he damaged the ligaments, and until the swelling subsides, it is impossible to get a reliable clinical stress test on the ligaments to determine the exact severity of the sprain. (amount of swelling and pain is not a true indicator of how severe the ligament damage is)

I would highly recommend seeing a therapist for rehabilitation - a good evaluation and management of this injury is essential for a speedy recovery.

I would also recommend continuing with the Ice and elevation - if you are using heat at all (which I don't recommend during the first 10-14 days), make sure you follow it immediately with ice. Also, an elastic bandage to provide compression to the ankle will help significantly with his swelling.

For more on acute ankle sprain care, download the free preview copy of Ankle Sprain Solutions. It will take you through the first 2 weeks of care, and it is free.

Comment back with other questions, and thanks for sharing.

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