An ankle sprain is an injury of the ligaments around the ankle due to excessive rolling or twisting. When this occurs, the ligaments are stretched beyond their normal range of motion, and in severe cases, may result in the tearing of the ligament. Ankle sprains are the most common ankle injury in Singapore.

While ankle sprains are usually caused by a single event, such as a fall, landing awkwardly after a jump, or having someone step or land on your foot, there are often underlying causes that contribute to ankle sprains. This may include, previous ankle injury, poor footwear choices or a lack of flexibility or strength in the ankle. Previous ankle injuries are a major culprit as they weaken your ankle, hence increasing the incidence of such injuries. To avoid this from occurring, consult an ankle specialist or podiatrist to see what are the options are available for you.

You usually know when you have sprained your ankle because of the very noticeable twisting or turning motion. Other common symptoms can include:

• Pain, particularly upon weight-bearing

• Soreness and/or tenderness

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Restricted range of motion

• Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury

If the pain persists over a prolonged period of time, or greatly intensifies upon weight bearing, the ankle may have been fractured rather than sprained. You should always consult a podiatrist or lower limb specialist to ensure that there is no lasting damage.

While ankle injuries can heal on their own, they often heal incorrectly or in a manner that encourages future injury.

A severe ankle sprain may take several months to fully recover. If neglected, complications such as chronic ankle instability or even ankle arthritis may occur. Therefore, it is important to address the underlying cause of these injuries in order to implement appropriate preventive measures.

Depending on the severity and type of injury, the course of action for ankle sprains can range from applying R.I.C.E to the affected area, to using crutches or splints, to using electromagnetic stimulation to help facilitate recovery.

For both mild and severe injuries, physical therapy may be prescribed for rehabilitation purposes. Surgical intervention is rare, and is typically only offered if there is significant bone deterioration or if conservative methods have failed to stabilise the ankle joint after an extended period of therapy.