The ankle sprain is one of the most common problems in sports: in Italy, more than 50 million ankle injuries occur daily, particularly in volleyball, basketball, football, and running. It is, in fact, one of the most common injuries in sports. An ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries that doctors treat. Particularly in sports, the incidence of this disorder is much higher β up to 21 percent of sportsmen and women β but since it is a minor injury, only a tiny proportion are prone to a subsequent ankle or foot fracture.
In any case, it is good to pay attention to the problem and take immediate action when the first symptoms emerge. In most cases, ankle sprains occur due to sudden movements during a sports performance. The moment you feel a twinge in your ankle when you put your weight on it, consider it an early warning sign of a possible sprain. A series of more apparent symptoms usually follow, such as swelling, bruising, inability to walk without feeling pain, hypersensitivity, and softness when touching the bruised part.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of a sprain and a fracture are very similar, and the two injuries are often confused. It is, therefore, essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible who can understand the type of injury through MRI or X-ray examinations to receive the most suitable therapy. After an accurate examination, the doctor decides on the recovery time to treat the ankle sprain: usually two to three weeks of rest, depending on the severity of the injury.
The time may vary depending on the presence or absence of other pathologies and how much strain is put on the ankle. Initially, you will use crutches to help you walk and later, an ankle brace or orthopedic boot to provide more support. The initial protection i. This new methodology is an alternative to the RICE theory of absolute rest.
Still, it includes some critical steps such as ice I , compression C , and elevation E. Another tool to help ankle sprains is ankle taping.
