Ankle and Lower Leg Injuries (pg ) ALEX M. LOEWEN

Ankle Sprains  Top injuries in athletes.  What is an ankle sprain?  Most common is inversion.

Inversion Sprains  Account for more than 80 percent of ankle sprains.

Eversion Sprains  Take longer to heal than inversion sprains.

High Ankle Sprains  Very hard to treat  Return to sports longer than inversion and eversion

Signs of Injury  Grade I -Little swelling, Mild pain, and Joint stiffness  Grade II -Medium pain, Swelling, Joint stiffness  Grade III -Severe pain at first, Large swelling, Joint Immobilization

Care  Limit swelling -Prevention -Rest -Ice -Compression -Elevation  Gradual return to form  KT tape* *Bicici, S., Karatas, N., & Baltaci, G. (2012). EFFECT OF ATHLETIC TAPING AND KINESIOTAPING ON MEASUREMENTS OF FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE IN BASKETBALL PLAYERS WITH CHRONIC INVERSION ANKLE SPRAINS. International Journal Of Sports Physical Therapy, 7(2),

Ankle Fractures  Occur in same way as sprains  Fracture often happen with sprains  Swelling is a sign of fractures  Care for injury by splinting and referring to a doctor

Ankle Tendinosis  Posterior tibialis tendon  Anterior tibialis  Peroneal tendons

Tibial & Fibular Fractures  Direct or indirect trauma  Pain, swelling, deformity

Tibial & Fibular Stress Fractures  Tibial stress fractures are more likely than fibular  Repetitive loading  Incorrect shoes or faulty biomechanics  Pain at the focal point, pain gets worse  Refer athlete to a physician