Ankle ligaments are made of connective tissue that contains:

• Collagen, a protein that binds tissues in animals.
• Slightly stretchy elastic fibers.

Ankle ligaments have several important jobs:

• Absorb shock when your foot strikes a surface.
• Connect the bones of your foot with your lower leg.
• Keep the bones in the proper position.
• Prevent your ankle from twisting, folding or collapsing.
• Stabilize your ankle joint (formed by the lower leg bones and the talus).
• Stop your ankle from moving in any unsafe or unnatural directions.

Ankle ligaments are found throughout your foot, ankle and lower leg. They connect certain bones:

• Calcaneus (heel bone).
• Fibula (calf bone).
• Malleolus (a bump that sticks out from each side of the ankle).
• Navicular bones (a bone on the top of the foot).
• Talus (ankle bone).
• Tibia (shin bone).

Causes of ligament injury of ankle

A sprained ankle is a very common injury. It happens to people of all ages and levels of health. An ankle sprain usually occurs when someone twists the ankle. For example:

• Falling or almost falling.
• Having someone step on your foot, forcing it into an unnatural position.
• Playing sports that require rolling the foot or cutting back and forth in different directions quickly (for example, basketball, soccer and tennis).
• Walking or running on uneven surfaces (such as a trail).

Types of ankle Injury/sprains include:

• Inversion ankle sprain: This happens when the ankle rolls inward, injuring the lateral ligaments. This is the most common type of ankle sprain, as the lateral ligaments are weaker than the other ankle ligaments.
• Eversion ankle sprain: This occurs when the ankle rolls outward and injures the medial (deltoid) ligaments. This type of ankle sprain is not common, but it can occur during running or jumping, especially on uneven surfaces.
• High ankle sprain: This type of sprain affects the syndesmotic ligaments. It typically occurs in competitive athletes who experience a forceful blow to the ankle or extreme twisting motion. It’s particularly common in people who participate in American football, basketball, hockey, soccer and snow skiing.

Symptoms of ligament injury of ankle

• Bruising.
• Loose feeling in the ankle.
• Pain on the sides or front of the ankle.
• Popping or snapping sound.
• Swelling around the ankle joint.
• Trouble bearing weight on the ankle or foot.
• Weakness in the ankle joint.

An Orthopedic Surgeon at Shreya Hospital, Ghaziabad will grade your ankle injury by how severe it is and what symptoms you have:

• Grade 1: A grade 1 injury to an ankle ligament is a minor sprain. It means a ligament is overstretched or just slightly torn. With a grade 1 ankle strain, you’ll experience some pain, swelling and maybe bruising. But you’ll still be able to put weight on the affected leg and bend and rotate the ankle.
• Grade 2: A grade 2 ankle sprain is a moderate (partial) tear of the ligament. Symptoms include bruising, swelling and some pain. With a grade 2 injury, you’ll have some difficulty putting weight on the leg. You may also have trouble bending or rotating the ankle.
• Grade 3: A grade 3 injury is a complete tear or rupture of an ankle ligament. With this level of injury, you’ll have severe bruising, swelling and pain. You won’t be able to put weight on the affected leg, and you won’t be able to bend or rotate the ankle.

Treatment for ligament injury of ankle

Treatment for ligament injury of ankle can vary greatly, depending on:

• The severity of the ankle injury (grade 1, 2 or 3).
• Whether pain or trouble moving the ankle is interfering with your life.
• Whether you’re at risk for additional ankle injuries in the future.

Your healthcare provider will recommend treatment for your particular injury, ranging from surgical to nonsurgical:

• Rest, ice, compression (using an elastic bandage) and elevation (RICE).
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Assistive devices (for example, crutches to help you keep weight off the ankle).
• Immobilization (such as a boot to hold your ankle in place while it heals).
• Physical therapy to strengthen the ankle and improve balance.
• Surgery is rarely required after an acute ankle sprain. Occasionally, people can repeatedly sprain their ankles. They may require surgery to repair the ankle ligaments.