Posted by Bud Ward on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 @ 11:28 PM
The ligaments surrounding the ankle are surprisingly fragile. A
seemingly harmless motion has the potential to cause serious sprains.
Ankle ligaments are elastic structures that hold the ankle joint
together to prevent (or minimize) excessive twisting and turning that
can lead to injury. These ligaments are able to stretch slightly to
accommodate normal movements, but as with everything, they have an
inherent limit. When they are stretched beyond their natural limits, the
result is a painful sprain.
You probably know the
feeling...
Anyone can suffer from ankle
sprains, from trained athletes to a regular Joe. A few actions that can
lead to ankle sprains are:
- Running, particularly if you
plant your foot at an awkward angle
- Walking on uneven surfaces
- Missing a step while
climbing stairs
You can even sprain your
ankle just from stepping out of bed, if you happen to step down on
something that twists your ankle at an unnatural angle. In fact, 25,000
U.S. citizens sprain their ankles every day, both from athletic
activities and day-to-day missteps.
When you sprain your ankle,
here’s what happens:
Blood
rushes into the injured area, causing inflammation. The ankle swells
up, causing increased sensitivity of the nerves, leading to pain.
Attempting to move the ankle, standing or walking on it can be extremely
painful. The injured ankle might also become red and overly warm
because of the increased blood flow.
Typically, a sprain is minor
enough to heal by itself by the next day. However, if the ankle gets
swollen and standing or walking on it becomes unbearable, a fracture
needs to be ruled out. So be sure to go to the hospital and seek an
X-ray or consult your physician at the very least.