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Ankle ligament rupture.

Usually, an injury of this type, such as a ruptured ankle ligament, occurs when the foot is unsuccessfully turned in the moment of running, jumping, walking on uneven, bumpy surfaces, stumbling, sliding, walking on high unstable heels. Excessive mechanical stress in the tissues of the ligament (consisting of elastin and collagen fibers) leads to "stretching" of the ligament (rupture of individual fibers), tear of the ligament (incomplete rupture) and complete rupture of the ligament. Due to the fact that the ankle joint performs one of the most difficult options for movement - it rotates the foot in three planes, then restoring its work after a ligament rupture requires attention and patience.

Signs of a ruptured ankle ligament:

When a ligament is stretched (rupture of several individual fibers), tolerable pain is felt when walking, but movement in the ankle joint makes it possible to move. In the area of injury, tissue edema appears, which can spread to the tissues of the foot adjacent to the injury site. The hematoma is usually absent.
When the ligament is torn, the pain is more pronounced and limits movement in the ankle. The foot swells and the swelling can spread up to the lower leg. Such an injury can be accompanied by the formation of a hematoma.
A complete rupture of the ankle ligament (can take place with a piece of bone tissue torn off) is accompanied by severe pain and swelling. Walking is basically impossible, and any load on the ankle joint is also painful. A rupture of a ligament is accompanied by a rupture of blood vessels, and can also be complicated by a fracture of the bones of the foot. The hematoma occupies an impressive area, extending both to the forefoot and, sometimes, to the sole.

X-ray examination does not show sprains and tears of the ligament, and a rupture of the ligament is visible on X-ray only if a piece of bone tissue is torn off at the site of attachment of the ligament. A more informative examination in such cases is provided by magnetic resonance imaging.

First aid for an ankle ligament rupture (of any severity) consists in applying a cold (heating pad or ice pack) to the injury site and immobilizing the ankle joint. The methods of immobilizing the ankle can be different: from applying a tight bandage to applying a wire splint or splint (an orthosis can be used). It is advisable to apply cold only in the first minutes of injury, it will promote vasoconstriction and reduce the degree of edema and hemorrhage. If the area of the hematoma continues to increase some time after the injury, then a sufficiently large vessel may be ruptured and surgical intervention may be required. Pain syndrome is relieved with the help of Ibuprofen, Diclofenac or other anesthetics in the form of injections, ointments, tablets.

A few days later, when the swelling has subsided (bleeding should stop within a few minutes after the injury), it is necessary to treat an ankle ligament rupture by heating: dry heat (heating pad, bags of salt, bags of heated sand), semi-alcohol compresses to the site of injury, and warm baths. Baths and compresses are applied if there is no visible damage to the skin. After the bath, you can lubricate the injury site with anti-inflammatory ointments or gels (Nise, Voltaren, Fastum-gel, Liaton, etc.). Later, they undergo a course of physiotherapy.

If the ligament is torn off or torn, then, according to indications, I can perform a surgical intervention in order to suture the ligament. For complex breaks, a plaster cast is applied for two weeks.

The total healing time for an injury with a complete rupture of the ligament can take three months. A milder ligament rupture resolves within one month. After complete healing and restoration of movement of the ankle joint, in order to prevent repeated ruptures, it is recommended to wear a bandage or orthosis that supports the joint. Rehabilitation of the ankle joint after a ligament rupture is carried out with the help of massage and special exercises.