Ankle Sprain
(wikepedia)
Movements – especially twisting, turning, and rolling of the foot – are the primary cause of an ankle sprain.[2] The risk of a sprain is greatest during activities that involve explosive side-to-side motion, such as tennis or basketball. Sprained ankles can also occur during normal daily activities such as stepping off a curb or slipping on ice. Returning to activity before the ligaments have fully healed may cause them to heal in a stretched position, resulting in less stability at the ankle joint. This can lead to a condition known as Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI), and an increased risk of ankle sprains.
The following factors can contribute to an increased risk of ankle sprains:
Weak muscles/tendons that cross the ankle joint, especially the muscles of the lower leg that cross the outside, or lateral aspect of the ankle joint (i.e. peroneal or fibular muscles);
Weak or lax ligaments that join together the bones of the ankle joint – this can be hereditary or due to overstretching of ligaments as a result of repetitive ankle sprains;
Poor ankle flexibility;[citation needed]
Lack of warm-up and/or stretching before activity;[citation needed]
Inadequate joint proprioception (i.e. sense of joint position);
Slow neuron muscular response to an off-balance position;
Running on uneven surfaces;
Shoes with inadequate heel support; and
Wearing high-heeled shoes – due to the weak position of the ankle joint with an elevated heel, and a small base of support.
Ankle sprains occur usually through excessive stress on the ligaments of the ankle. This is can be caused by excessive external rotation, inversion or eversion of the foot caused by an external force. When the foot is moved past its range of motion, the excess stress puts a strain on the ligaments. If the strain is great enough to the ligaments past the yield point, then the ligament becomes damaged, or sprained[3][4]
Related Articles: