Ankle injuries: eversion sprains

Exercise is one of the ways to improve your physical wellbeing and it aids in great measure to get rid of ailments, aches and pains. Follow the exercise programme provided by the biokineticists at Anine van der Westhuizen Biokineticist in George and feel the difference. This week biokineticist Megan van Huyssteen tells us more about ankle sprains.

This week I will be discussing another type of ankle sprain. An eversion sprain ("eversion" refers to the outward movement of the ankle) is a tear of the deltoid ligaments, which provide support to prevent the ankle turning inwards (everting), on the inside of the ankle. It is often called a medial ankle sprain. This sprain is a rarer sprain than an inversion sprain because of the anatomy of the ankle.

Firstly, the fibula bone tends to prevent the ankle from moving far enough to sprain or overstretch the ligaments on the inside of the ankle.

It simply does not allow the foot to move far enough to cause damage. Secondly, the deltoid ligaments (medial ligaments) of the ankle are made of connective tissue that joins the tibia (shin bone) to other bones in the inner aspect of the ankle.

The deltoid ligaments are much stronger than the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle.

For this reason an eversion sprain is often associated with a fracture of the end of the fibula bone, called the lateral malleolus, which can be felt as the bony part on the outside of the ankle.

Other bones in the ankle such as the talus can also be fractured during an eversion ankle sprain.

An eversion sprain can range from a mild partial tear of the ligament which causes minimal pain, to severe damage or a rupture which may result in severe pain and disability of the injured ankle.

An eversion ankle sprain normally occurs due to excessive weight-bearing activities or activities involving rapid changes in movement and direction, particularly done on uneven surfaces.

Signs and symptoms

A person with an eversion ankle sprain may hear an audible snap or popping sound when the injury occurs, followed by pain and swelling in the inner ankle region. The person may also be unable to perform weight-bearing activities during the injury due to extreme pain.

Additional symptoms typically include stiffness of the ankle and bruising within the days following the injury.