6/17/2015 Laser Therapy for Ankle Sprain — Chiropractor Nashville TN - Art of Health Chiropractic

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Laser Therapy for Ankle SprainL A S E R T H E R A P Y

Laser Therapy for Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are unfortunately common. In a recent review, the ankle was found to bethe most common site of injury in 24 of the 70 sports studied. Not only are ankle sprainsa sports injury - in the general population, the incidence of ankle sprain has been reportedto be high as well.  

The injury usually occurs from a sudden trauma, twisting or turning over of the ankle.Pain will be felt in the ankle joint itself although will specifically be felt on the outside ofthe ankle when pressing in on the damaged ligaments.

Swelling or bruising may be present but not always in the more mild cases. Pain can alsobe felt on the inside of the ankle from compression of bones and soft tissue. 

6/17/2015 Laser Therapy for Ankle Sprain — Chiropractor Nashville TN - Art of Health Chiropractic

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Symptoms may vary from being very mild to very severe. With a mild sprain the mostpeople will likely be able to continue with daily life and exercise. A very severe injurycould result in hospital treatment and take longer to heal than a broken ankle.

Sprains are graded 1,2 or 3 depending on severity and your doctor will carry out a fulldiagnosis and assessment which will include range of motion tests and resisted movementtests to determine the structures injured and extent of the damage.

HOW BAD IS MY ANKLE SPRAIN?

Grade 1 - symptoms will cause only mild pain with little or no instability. Theremay be some joint stiffness with difficulty walking or running but the athlete islikely to be able to play on. Some stretching or perhaps minor tearing of the lateralankle ligaments may have happened resulting in mild swelling around the bone onthe outside of the ankle.Grade 2 - symptoms will result in moderate to severe pain with difficulty walking.The athlete is unlikely to be able to play on and will limp. Minor bruising may beevident along with swelling and stiffness in the ankle joint. There is likely to besome instability of the joint resulting from moderate tearing of some of the ligamentfibers.Grade 3 - usually results in a total or almost complete rupture of a ligament. Severepain will be felt initially with lots of swelling and extensive bruising. You willexperience gross instability of the joint.

MOST COMMONLY DAMAGED STRUCTURES IN AN ANKLESPRAIN

The most common is an inversion sprain or lateral ligament sprain where the ankle turnsover so the sole of the foot faces inwards, damaging the ligaments and other soft tissueson the outside of the ankle. The ankle can turn inwards, called an inversion sprainalthough this is much less common and will usually coincide with a fracture of the fibulabone in the lower leg.

The two main ligaments involved are the talofibular ligament which connects the talusbone in the ankle to the fibula bone and the calcaneofibular ligament which connects thecalcaneus or heel bone to the fibula. A less severe ankle sprain will most likely result indamage to the talofibular ligament. However, more severe injuries cause stretching ortearing to the calcaneofibular ligament lower down as well.

COMPLICATIONS OF AN ANKLE SPRAIN

6/17/2015 Laser Therapy for Ankle Sprain — Chiropractor Nashville TN - Art of Health Chiropractic

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In addition to the ligament damage there may also be damage to tendons, joint capsule,bone, cartilage and other tissues. Severely sprained ankles may result in completeruptures of the ligaments along with dislocation and fractures of the ankle bones.

An avulsion sprain or fracture occurs when the ligament pulls a small piece of boneaway with it. This is not always obvious initially but can be suspected if the injuryfails to heal.Osteochondral lesions which are tears of the cartilage lining the top of the talusbone are also complications of moderate to severe injuries.

If possible an X-ray should be done, particularly if the patient is unable to put weight onthe foot, or it fails to heal properly over time.

DEEP TISSUE LASER ANKLE SPRAIN TREATMENT

Laser therapy for ankle sprains is an important part of the healing process and is used byprofessional athletes worldwide.  

Laser therapy accomplishes several key tasks:

increases blood flow by vasodilating local blood vessels to an area with low bloodflow compared to areas of the body that are surrounded by major muscle groups. This increased blood flow brings in the nutrients necessary to repair damagedtissues and removed the damaged tissue fibersincreasing lymphatic flow which helps to reduce local swellingdecreases prostagladin formation which reduces pain levelsincreases endorphin productionexpedites the body's natural healing processes, which allows for quickerintroduction into rehabilitationmild sprains can see drastic improvement in 3-5 visits

ANKLE SPRAIN KINESIOTAPING

As your ankle heals, it is important to give it as much support as possible while stillallowing the ankle to move in a natural motion.  As your ankle heals, scar tissue is beinglaid down by body 24/7.  

By instilling proper function and movement in the ankle from the beginning, the scartissue will form in a pattern more similar to the original tissue - creating a better longterm prognosis.

Taping the ankle can provide support and compression post injury and later in therehabilitation process can give support when returning to full training.

6/17/2015 Laser Therapy for Ankle Sprain — Chiropractor Nashville TN - Art of Health Chiropractic

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Taping can also be helpful if the ankle ligaments have suffered permanent stretchingresulting in ankle instability. 

Kineosiotape is a latex-free athletic tape that has been used for years.  Taping your ankleallows for support of the ankle while ensuring proper function.

REHABILITATION PROGRAM

Rehabilitating an ankle is imperative as it allows for a return to as close to normalfunction as possible.  We have seen countless patients who mention they have a "badankle" which is usually just an ankle that has been previously injured, but neverrehabbed.  

After the initial acute stage which is usually 24 to 48 hours (but could be longer with abad sprain) rehabilitation and exercises may begin although only if pain allows.

The program is based around three phases of reducing pain and inflammation, restoringnormal mobility and building up strength and proprioception (or coordination of the anklejoint).

C L I C K H E R E F O R O U R N E W P A T I E N T S P E C I A L

Dr. Callie Gant and Dr. Michael Buczynski founded Art of Health Chiropractic to createa happier, healthier Nashville.  Feel free to call the office at 615-953-7544 with anyquestions or to schedule your first appointment.