Fracture of the Ankle Joint - Diseases of the Ankle Joint - CENTRE FOR ORTHOPAEDICS, SPORTS MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION - Dr. Erich H. Rembeck

Ankle Joint Distorsion

Ankle joint distorsion (ankle joint strain/ ankle joint sprain/ rotation trauma/ supination trauma)

The most frequent injury to the ankle joint affects the lateral and medial retaining ligaments, although the lateral ligaments are more frequently affected. The mechanism of injury is normally a roll-over trauma of the ankle joint, which leads to distension and damage, and in extreme cases, the rupture of ligament structures. Essential, is on one side, a description of the accident, and on the other, the clinical examination with the signs of instability (lateral or medial collapsing, forward movement of the talus, haematoma, swelling).

Therapy

If a bony participation in terms of a break or a bony ligament avulsion can be ruled out, a non-operative therapy frequently occurs with the aim to restore the tightened joint congruency. The trained eye of a routine examiner can ultimately determine whether or not a conservative therapy is going to be successful. The non-operative therapy involves the immobilisation of the affected joint in order to give the damaged structures the opportunity to heal. At the same time, special supporting splints or tape bandages can be used.

An operative therapy can be necessary for complete rupture of the ligament apparatus. This involves an open intervention whereby the damaged structures are distinguished and where possible directly reconstructed or strengthened.

Aftercare

Depending on the extent of the damage, the non-operative therapy involves an ankle splint, an orthopaedic walker (e.g. Vacuped) or a lower leg cast for 4 to 6 weeks. The aftercare for an operative therapy involves a lower leg cast for 6 weeks.

Ability to work

The recommencement of light office work can occur after 1 to 2 weeks, so long as under-arm crutches are used.

Ability to do sport

After 6 weeks, initial medical machine training and subsequent competition training with an increase in weight-bearing can be restarted, so that unrestricted competition fitness can be achieved after the 12th week.