From the anatomical point of view, the ankle joint has the most complex structure. And such an idea of nature lends itself to a logical explanation. After all, it is on this part of the leg that a very important - supporting - function is assigned, with which the joint copes perfectly. But if everything is so good, why then damage to the ligament of the ankle joint is the diagnosis that the traumatologist most often makes to his patients?
The anatomical structure of the ankle
An ankle joint is formed by the talus and tibia bones and has a block shape. The angle of its mobility during extension and bending reaches 90 °. Both on the outside and on the inside, it is fortified with ligaments. The internal, which in medicine is known as the deltoid or medial, connective tissue of the ankle is located from the medial ankle towards the calcaneus, talus and scaphoid. Outwardly, its shape is as close as possible to the triangle.
But as for the external ligaments of the ankle joint, there are three of them. They all come from the tibia, with two of them attached to the talus and one to the calcaneus. It is due to their location that they are called the posterior and anterior tibiofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments.
An age-related characteristic feature of this supporting joint is its mobility. Moreover, in adults it is more mobile towards the plantar surface, in children - in the back of the foot.
Is injury to the ankle a problem of athletes or an ailment awaiting anyone?
Do not think that damage to the ligament of the ankle joint is a problem only for athletes who subject their body to great physical exertion. Indeed, of the total number of patients with traumatologists who are diagnosed with this, only 15-20% were injured during training. It is simply impossible to classify the rest by age group, occupation, or gender. And this is quite logical, since any person can stumble, make a sharp wrong movement, tuck a leg or simply unsuccessfully jump off a step.
Quite often they diagnose damage to the ligaments of the ankle joint and modern “fashionistas,” for whom beauty is significantly higher in the list of priorities than convenience and health. They choose shoes, guided not by the criterion of comfort and correct fixation of the foot, but by price, heel height, color or fashion. Such improperly selected accessories for a woman’s wardrobe, suitable for a handbag, dress or eye color, often cause an injury, the name of which, according to medical terminology, is damage to the ligament of the ankle joint.
As for the children, they suffer from this ailment, too, is not so rare. After all, little fidgets are in constant motion. In addition, their joints and bone tissue have not yet fully strengthened, so they are easily injured.
Who should beware of ankle damage?
Damage to the ankle ligaments is not always the result of only injuries. In 20-25%, according to medical practice, doctors call the causes of the disease anatomical predisposition and chronic diseases. Most often, trauma to connective tissues is recorded in people with high supination, or arch of the foot, with different lengths of limbs, as well as in those who suffer from weakness of the ligamentous apparatus, muscle imbalance and various neuromuscular disorders.
Therefore, everyone who falls into this risk category should be especially careful in choosing shoes and clearly dosing physical loads on the musculoskeletal system.
First degree ligament tears
Depending on the severity of damage to the connective tissues, the disease is divided into three main degrees. The first, and the lightest, include a rupture of single fibers, which does not violate the stability of the joint. In this case, the victim experiences pain of low intensity, which can be removed with analgesics in the form of tablets and ointments. A small edema may be observed at the site of the injury, but there is no manifestation of hyperemia.
Clinical manifestations of the second degree of injury
If a person has a damage to the ligaments of the left ankle joint (or right) of the second degree, the symptoms will be more vivid. The victim experiences a fairly strong pain syndrome, weak bruising and bruising appear on the skin. Such a partial rupture of the ligament does not violate the stability of the joint, however, a person with an injury can hardly walk.
Symptoms characteristic of the third degree of damage
The third degree of injury to the connective structures is entitled to be called the most severe. After all, such damage to the ligaments of the right ankle joint (or the left - it does not matter) implies a complete rupture of all fibers without exception. The characteristic symptoms are acute pain of a high degree of intensity, impaired motor function, as well as instability of the joint itself. In addition, subcutaneous hemorrhages of various sizes immediately appear at the site of the injury, to which severe swelling joins after a while.
Should I refuse medical care?
Despite the fact that the first two degrees of trauma to the ankle ligaments are not severe and do not require specific treatment, a doctor’s examination will not be superfluous. After all, pain of moderate intensity, swelling and hyperemia are symptoms of not only damage to the connective tissues. Such a clinical picture is also characteristic of fissures and fractures of bone tissues, the treatment of which is best carried out under the supervision of doctors. Therefore, it is so important that a specialist clearly diagnoses an injury and prescribes an appropriate course of therapy.
We also note that even if a person has partial damage to the ligaments of the ankle joint, he needs the advice of a professional - this will speed up the healing process. Therefore, regardless of the degree of injury to the connective tissues, it is not worth giving up professional medical care.
First aid for torn ankle ligaments
If, during damage to the connective tissue, a crunch or crack was heard, there is practically no doubt that the ligament fibers were torn. In addition, in this case, any movement that the victim is trying to make is accompanied by acute pain, and swelling or bruising immediately appears at the site of damage. To improve the condition of the patient before the doctor examines him, it is necessary to provide first aid to the victim correctly.
Firstly, immediately need to immobilize a damaged limb. The patient should be seated, and it is better to lay so that the ankle is above the level of the heart. This situation will allow, if there has been a complete damage to the ligament of the ankle joint, to prevent internal hemorrhage.
Secondly, a cold compress should be made in the area of damage, and it is better to attach pieces of ice. Then the victim is given an anesthetic drug and they decide how to deliver it to the nearest emergency room. If damage to the ligaments of the ankle joint (symptoms described above) is accompanied by severe hyperemia, unbearable pain and extensive swelling, it is better to call an ambulance. Doctors immediately put a splint on the leg and take the patient to the hospital, where they will conduct a complete diagnosis.
First degree ligament damage treatment
Injury of this severity, as a rule, does not require medical treatment. The main essence of the process is fixing the damaged joint and taking painkillers, if any. In other words, a patient who is diagnosed with damage to the ligament of the ankle joint of the first degree can continue to lead a familiar lifestyle. However, doctors during the recovery period recommend reducing physical activity as much as possible, and apply a tight bandage to the damaged joint.
As a rule, after 10-12 days, complete recovery occurs.
How is second-degree ligament damage treated?
The treatment of injuries of the second degree of severity will take much longer than sprain. In addition, during this period, the patient should not only limit physical activity, but also undergo a course of complex therapy, which will help recover more quickly after such a violation as damage to the ankle ligaments. The consequences of the disease with strict observance of the doctor’s recommendations will not disturb the patient, but self-medication in such situations can cause a lot of problems, and even after a few years a person will not be able to forget about the injury.
As a rule, with a partial tear of the connective tissue of the ankle, the patient is given a plaster cast to fix the leg for 3 weeks. To relieve pain, an anesthetic is prescribed in tablet form. It can be one of such drugs as Nurofen, Ibuprofen or Ketorol. From the third day of treatment, physiotherapeutic procedures can be connected that accelerate the healing process.
Damage to the ligaments of the third degree: treatment features
You should know that if the doctor has determined that the patient has complex damage to the ligaments of the ankle joint, the treatment will take at least 5-6 weeks. It is also worth saying that it is carried out in a hospital, as it requires surgical intervention, in which torn connective tissues are sutured, blood is pumped from the joint, after which Novocain or other similar drugs are injected into its cavity.
After leg surgery, the patient is given gypsum for 3-5 weeks and a course of drugs is prescribed that has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. From 3-4 days of treatment, physiotherapy procedures are included in the complex therapy, which improve blood circulation in the places of damage and stimulate the protective functions of the body as a whole.
The consequences of ankle injuries
To say that damage to the ligaments of the ankle joint (photos of damaged areas posted on stands at the trauma surgeon’s office scare many patients, which is understandable) is always fraught with serious complications, it’s wrong. After all, treatment started on time and compliance with all the doctor’s prescriptions allows you to completely restore the connective tissue. The exceptions are those cases when patients ignore the recommendations of specialists or are treated independently, exclusively with the help of traditional medicine. The consequence of such carelessness and an irresponsible attitude to their health most often becomes instability of the ankle joint. And this can cause repeated injury to the connective and bone tissues.
Therefore, before treating damage to the ligaments of the ankle joint, the patient must clearly understand that his health depends on compliance with medical recommendations during therapy and rehabilitation.