Managing ankle ligament sprains and tears: current opinion

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Lateral ankle ligament sprains are common injuries in athletes.
• Chronic ankle instability (CAI) can develop after an initial sprain.
• Effective management requires understanding pathoanatomy and clinical course.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a current review of lateral ankle ligament sprains.
• To cover diagnosis, objective assessment, intervention, and clinical course.
• To outline evidence-based management strategies for acute sprains and CAI.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on lateral ankle ligament sprains.
• Analysis of diagnostic and assessment techniques.
• Synthesis of evidence-based intervention strategies.

Main Results:

• Accurate diagnosis via history and objective assessment is crucial.
• Interventions include weight-bearing with bracing, manual therapy, exercise, and cryotherapy for acute sprains.
• Comprehensive rehabilitation and manual therapy are key for CAI.

Conclusions:

• Individualized, evidence-based intervention plans are essential for recovery and preventing reinjury.
• Risk factors for acute sprains and CAI include lack of external support and inadequate exercise.
• Utilizing the latest rehabilitation techniques optimizes treatment for athletes.