High Ankle Sprain – Its causes and symptoms
A high ankle sprain is also sometimes called an “ankle syndesmosis injury” and an “inferior tibiofibular joint injury”. The shin contains two bones, the tibia (the large shin bone on the inside) and the fibula (a smaller bone on the outside of the lower leg). Damage to the ligaments that hold these two bones together is a syndesmosis injury.
Your syndesmosis is a fibrous structure where the two leg bones are connected. Ligaments or connective tissue keeps the bones together with very little excessive mobility. This injury is less common but are much more disabling than your traditional lower ankle sprain.
What causes high ankle sprain?
High ankle sprains most commonly occur when your foot is planted on the ground and then an excessive outwards twisting of your foot occurs.
High ankle ligaments can also sprain when your ankle is loaded severely and pushed into excessive dorsiflexion. This often occurs in football tackles.
What are the symptoms of a high ankle sprain?
This injury occur following a traumatic ankle injury.
Patients often report:
- The pain felt above the ankle that increases with outward rotation of the foot.
- Pain with walking and often significant bruising and swelling across the higher ankle rather than around the malleolus.
Your severity of symptoms will depend on the grade of ankle sprain: mild, moderate, severe.
Patients with a high ankle sprain without fracture may be able to bear weight but will have pain over the junction between the tibia and fibula just above the level of the ankle. This is higher than the more traditional sprains.
Are you suffering from these symptoms? One of our podiatrist can assist and give the right treatment for your condition. ✅
Schedule an appointment here or you may call us at 44 (0) 207 101 4000. 📞
We hope you have a feettastic day! 👣☀️
-The Chelsea Clinic and Team
