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Ankle Sprains, Medial, Sports Medicine

Daniel C. Herman, MD, PhD, FAAPMR, FACSM, CAQSM and Giorgio A. Negron, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Injury to the deltoid ligament complex of the medial ankle occurs when the foot is forced into eversion and external rotation.

  • Medial ankle sprains are less common than their lateral ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Mechanism of injury: Athletes typically report an off-balanced, pronated foot landing, which leads to forced external rotation, abduction, and eversion.

  • Alternate mechanism includes su...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Prehospital: 
  • PRICE protocol: protection from further injury, rest, ice, compression, and elevation 1[C]

  • Protection can be achieved through an Aircast or a boot with a bladder ...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • Pain decreases rapidly during the first 2 wk following injury:

    • Up to 70% of patients report residual symptoms or recurrence 4.

  • Healing rates vary widely among studies, with 36–85% ...

REFERENCES

1
Czajka CM, Tran E, Cai AN, et al. Ankle sprains and instability. Med Clin North Am.  2014;98(2):313–329.
2
Doherty C, Delahunt E, Caulfield B, et al. The incidence and prevalence of ank...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Birrer RB, Fani-Salek MH, Totten VY, et al. Managing ankle injuries in the emergency department. J Emerg Med.  1999;17(4):651–660.

  • Mei-Dan O, Kahn G, Zeev A, et al. The medial l...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • An athlete may return to full activity once he or she is able to do a progressive rehabilitation program without pain and instability. Return to sports may be prolonged over several mo...

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