The ankle joint, from an anatomical point of view, has the most complex structure. And such an idea of nature is quite amenable to a logical explanation. After all, it is on this part of the leg that a very important - supporting - function is assigned, with which the joint perfectly copes. But if everything is so good, then why is ankle ligament injury the most common diagnosis given by traumatologists?
Anatomical structure of the ankle
The ankle joint is formed by the talus and the bones of the lower leg and has a block shape. The angle of its mobility during extension and flexion reaches 90°. Both on the outside and on the inside it is reinforced with ligaments. The internal, which in medicine is known as the deltoid or medial, connective tissue of the ankle is located from the medial malleolus towards the calcaneus, talus and navicular bones. Externally, its shape is as close as possible totriangle.
But as for the external ligaments of the ankle joint, there are three of them. They all come from the fibula, while two of them are attached to the talus and one to the calcaneus. It is because of their location that they are called the posterior and anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments.
An age characteristic feature of this supporting joint is its mobility. Moreover, in adults, it is more mobile towards the plantar surface, in children - towards the back of the foot.
Ankle injury - a problem for athletes or a disease that awaits anyone?
Don't think that an ankle ligament injury is only a problem for athletes who put their bodies under a lot of physical stress. After all, out of the total number of trauma patients who received such a diagnosis, only 15-20% were injured during training. It is simply impossible to classify the rest by age group, occupation or gender. And this is quite logical, since anyone can stumble, make a sharp wrong movement, twist their leg, or simply jump off a step unsuccessfully.
Ankle ligament injuries are often diagnosed for modern “fashionistas”, for whom beauty is much higher on the list of priorities than comfort and he alth. They choose shoes, guided not by the criterion of comfort and correct fixation of the foot, but by price, heel height, color or fashion trend. Such improperly selected accessories of a women's wardrobe, suitable for a handbag,dress or eye color, often cause an injury, which, according to medical terminology, is an ankle ligament injury.
As for children, they suffer from this disease is also not so rare. After all, little fidgets are in constant motion. In addition, their joints and bones are not yet fully developed, so they are easily injured.
Who should beware of an ankle injury?
Injury to the ligaments of the ankle joint is not always the result of injuries only. In 20-25%, as evidenced by medical practice, doctors call the anatomical predisposition and chronic diseases the causes of the disease. Most often, trauma to the connective tissues is recorded in people with high supination, or arch of the foot, with different lengths of limbs, as well as in those who suffer from weakness of the ligamentous apparatus, muscle imbalance and various neuromuscular disorders.
Therefore, everyone who falls into this risk category should be especially careful when choosing shoes, clearly dose physical activity on the musculoskeletal system.
First degree ligament tears
Depending on the severity of connective tissue damage, the disease is divided into three main degrees. The first, and easiest, is the rupture of single fibers, which does not violate the stability of the joint. In this case, the victim experiences pain of low intensity, which can be removed with analgesics in the form of tablets and ointments. On thethere may be slight swelling at the site of injury, but there are no signs of hyperemia.
Clinical manifestations of the second degree of injury
If a person has damage to the ligaments of the left ankle joint (or right) of the second degree, the symptoms will be more vivid. The victim experiences a fairly strong pain syndrome, weak bruises and bruises appear on the skin. Such a partial tear of the ligament does not affect the stability of the joint, but a person with an injury is practically unable to walk.
Symptomatic characteristic of the third degree of damage
The third degree of injury to the connective structures has the right to be called the most severe. After all, such damage to the ligaments of the right ankle joint (or the left one - it doesn’t matter) implies a complete rupture of all fibers without exception. Characteristic symptoms are acute pain of a high degree of intensity, impaired motor function, as well as instability of the joint itself. In addition, subcutaneous hemorrhages of various sizes immediately appear at the site of injury, to which severe swelling joins after a while.
Should I refuse medical care?
Despite the fact that the first two degrees of injury to the ligaments of the ankle are not severe and do not require specific treatment, a doctor's examination will not be superfluous. After all, pain sensations of medium intensity, swelling and hyperemia are symptoms not only of damage to connective tissues. Suchthe clinical picture is also characteristic of cracks and fractures of bone tissue, the treatment of which is best carried out under the supervision of doctors. Therefore, it is so important that the specialist clearly diagnose the injury and prescribe the appropriate course of therapy.
We also note that even if a person has a partial injury to the ligaments of the ankle joint, he needs to consult a professional - this will speed up the recovery process. Therefore, regardless of the degree of trauma to the connective tissues, you should not refuse professional medical care.
First aid for ankle ligament ruptures
If a crunch or crackle was heard when the connective tissue was damaged, there is practically no doubt that the ligament fibers have ruptured. In addition, in this case, any movement that the victim tries to make is accompanied by acute pain, and swelling or bruising immediately appears at the site of injury. To improve the patient's condition before he is examined by a doctor, it is necessary to properly provide first aid to the victim.
First, you need to immediately immobilize the injured limb. The patient should be seated, and it is better to lay so that the ankle is above the level of the heart. This position will allow, if there is a complete damage to the ligament of the ankle joint, to prevent internal hemorrhage.
Secondly, a cold compress should be applied to the area of damage, but ratherapply ice cubes. Then the victim is given an anesthetic drug and decide how to deliver him to the nearest emergency room. If damage to the ligaments of the ankle joint (symptoms described above) is accompanied by severe hyperemia, unbearable pain and extensive swelling, it is better to call an ambulance. Doctors will immediately put a splint on the leg and take the patient to the hospital, where they will conduct a complete diagnosis.
First degree ligament injury treatment
Injury of this severity usually does not require medical treatment. The main essence of the process is to fix the damaged joint and take painkillers, if needed. In other words, a patient diagnosed with first-degree ankle ligament injury can continue to lead a normal life. However, during the recovery period, doctors recommend reducing physical activity as much as possible, and applying a tight bandage to the damaged joint.
As a rule, after 10-12 days there is a complete recovery.
How are second-degree ligament injuries treated?
Treatment of injuries of the second degree of severity will take much longer than a sprain. In addition, during this period, the patient should not only limit physical activity, but also undergo a course of complex therapy, which will help to recover more quickly after such a violation as damage to the ligaments of the ankle joint. The consequences of the disease, with strict adherence to the recommendations of the doctor, the patient will not be disturbed, butself-treatment in such situations can cause a lot of problems, and even after a few years a person will not be able to forget about the injury.
As a rule, with a partial tear of the connective tissue of the ankle, a plaster splint is applied to the patient for 3 weeks, fixing the leg. To relieve pain, an anesthetic in tablet form is prescribed. This may be one of the drugs such as Nurofen, Ibuprofen or Ketorol. From the third day of treatment, physiotherapy procedures can be connected to speed up the healing process.
Third degree ligament injuries: features of therapy
You should know that if the doctor has determined that the patient has a complex ankle ligament injury, treatment will take at least 5-6 weeks. It should also be said that it is carried out in a hospital, as it requires surgical intervention, in which torn connective tissues are sewn together, blood is pumped out of the joint, after which Novocain or other similar drugs are injected into its cavity.
After surgery on the leg, the patient is put in plaster for 3-5 weeks and prescribed a course of drugs that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. From 3-4 days of treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures are included in the complex therapy, which improve blood circulation in the places of damage and stimulate the protective functions of the body as a whole.
The consequences of ankle injuries
It is wrong to say that damage to the ligaments of the ankle joint (photos of damaged areas posted on stands near the traumatologist's office scare many patients, which is quite understandable) is always fraught with serious complications. After all, the treatment started on time and compliance with all the doctor's prescriptions allow you to completely restore the connective tissues. Exceptions are those cases when patients ignore the recommendations of specialists or are treated on their own, exclusively with the help of traditional medicine. The consequence of such carelessness and irresponsible attitude to one's he alth most often becomes instability of the ankle joint. And this can cause re-injury to the connective and bone tissues.
Therefore, before treating an ankle ligament injury, the patient must clearly understand that his he alth depends on compliance with medical recommendations during therapy and rehabilitation.
