Ankle injury

An ankle injury is one of the most common injuries. An injury to the ankle can be caused by incorrect movement, twisting, collision or wearing the wrong shoes. This can cause complaints to the muscles, tendons or the ankle joint itself. Curious about more information, such as its causes and treatment? Then feel free to read on. We are happy to explain.

How do you recognise an ankle injury?

An aching ankle is very annoying. After all, we use our ankles during sports, but also during daily activities. An ankle injury usually involves a sprain. This can cause the ankle ligaments to stretch. Ankle problems start with pain that gets worse during movement or strain.

The most common ankle injuries

There are different types of injuries you can have if you suffer from your ankle. We explain the most common injuries below.

1. Ankle sprain

An ankle sprain usually occurs because the ankle twists inwards. This causes the ankle ligaments on the outside of the joint to stretch or tear. A sprain causes pain when moving. This injury can recover on its own, but does put the ankle at risk of instability.

2. Bruising

A sprain of the ankle can result in a bruise. While moving and standing, you feel a sharp pain. The ankle may also swell.

3. Fracture of the ankle

A fracture can be caused by a severe blow, collision or fall. In most cases, the fibula breaks, but the ankle can also break in several places. A fracture immediately causes severe pain, and you can hardly put any weight on the ankle. Swelling and discolouration also develop.

4. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is wear and tear in the cartilage of the ankle. This wear can be caused by a broken bone, an inflammation or old age. With osteoarthritis, you experience pain and stiffness in the ankle. Movement can be difficult as a result.

5. Chronic instability

With chronic instability, you suffer from an unstable ankle for a longer period of time. As a result, you can easily sprain your ankle. Usually, chronic instability is caused by an injury that has not recovered properly.

Symptoms of an ankle injury

There are several symptoms you can experience when you suffer from an ankle injury. For example, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Swelling/thickening
• Pain at rest
• Loading is not possible
• Pain during loading
• Blue, purple or red discolouration
• Temperature differences on the ankle

Treatment

If you have ankle problems, it is important to contact your GP or a physiotherapist. The physiotherapist can determine where the symptoms are coming from and what kind of injury it is. This way, the right treatment can be initiated. Usually, treatment consists of taking sufficient rest. After that, you can slowly build up your movement again.

Preventing an ankle injury

Prevention is better than cure. There are a number of things you can do to prevent an ankle injury. For example, it is important to do a good warm-up before exercising. We also recommend consciously paying attention to the way you move and technique while playing sports. Wearing the right shoes is also important. Finally, wearing an ankle brace can contribute to ankle stability.