Ankle Injury

An acute injury is generally caused as a result of landing on the outside of the foot, which itself is caused by disrupted balance. For example by landing on another player’s foot. The injury is caused by the straining of the tissue on the outside of the ankle, and the overcompression of the tissue on the inside of the ankle. The main symptoms are acute pain, swelling and reduced ability of the affected ankle to support your weight. If the ankle is in a strange position, or can bear no weight whatsoever, it is wise to have an X-ray examination. This will make it possible to diagnose whether the ankle is in fact broken. In most cases the injury concerns an ankle sprain.

The acute ankle injury is the most commonly occurring sport injury. To prevent recurrence or worsening of an ankle injury, it has been scientifically proven that wearing an ankle brace or tape is worthwhile.

An overuse injury is caused because the burden to which the ankle joint is exposed is greater than the level of load the ankle joint can cope with. Overburdening of the ankle joint often occurs as a result of the residual symptoms following an earlier twisting of the ankle. Capsula and ligaments may have been permanently stretched as a result of the twisting. Without the correct exercise therapy and adequate protection (a brace), this can lead to overuse complaints. In addition, the cartilage may have been permanently damaged. As a result, the sportsman or woman has less shock absorbance, so the ankle is less able to withstand loading. This means that after sport, the ankle requires longer recovery times.