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Sprain, Ankle

Shane L. Larson, MD and Brandon J Moore, MPAS, PA-C Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

The most common cause of ankle injury comprising a significant proportion of sports injuries: 
  • Types of ankle sprains: lateral, medial, and syndesmotic (or high ankle sprain)

    • Lateral a...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Elicit specific mechanism of injury (inversion vs. eversion)

  • Popping/snapping sensation during the injury

  • Previous history of ankle injuries

  • Ability to ambulate immediately after the inj...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Most grade I, II, and III lateral ankle sprains can be managed conservatively.

  • Conservative therapy: PRICE (protection, relative rest, ice, compression, elevation) (4)[A]

  • Prot...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • After an ankle sprain, consider ankle-stabilizing orthoses (air stirrup braces, lace-up supports, athletic taping, etc.) for athletes participating in high-risk s...

REFERENCES

1
Feger  MA, Glaviano  NR, Donovan  L, et al. Current trends in the management of lateral ankle sprain in the United States. Clin J Sport Med.  2017;27(2):145–15...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Caldemeyer LE, Brown SM, Mulcahey MK. Neuromuscular training for the prevention of ankle sprains in female athletes: a systematic review. Phys Sportsmed. 2020 N...

CODES

ICD10

  • S96.919A Strain of unsp msl/tnd at ank/ft level, unsp foot, init

  • S93.499A Sprain of other ligament of unspecified ankle, init encntr

  • S93.419A Sprain of calcaneofibular ligament of unsp ankle,...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Children are at an increased risk of physeal injuries because ligaments are stronger than physes.

  • Conditioning, including proprioceptive training, before participating in sports and thr...

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