Sprains Treatment
An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more of the ligaments that support the ankle joint.
The most common type of sprain is a lateral (outside) ankle sprain. Severity of the ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament was simply stretched, partially torn, or completely torn.
A sprain can occur after a fall or sudden twist to the ankle joint. They occur commonly during athletic activities, while wearing inappropriate shoes or walking or running on an uneven surface.
Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression elevation, physical therapy and medications (like anti-inflammatories). Most ankle sprains heal uneventfully but major ankle sprains can potentially lead to a condition known as lateral ankle instability. This causes considerable weakness of the ankle joint and if repeated sprains occur despite bracing, surgical reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments may be required.
Lateral ankle reconstructions come in various forms. The most common procedure we perform is called a Brostrom procedure with an additional, stronger suture called an “Internal Brace”. This solidifies and strengthens the repair even more, and typically allows our patients to start rehabilitation faster and get back to sports more rapidly.