An ankle sprain is the most common sprain we will likely experience. It requires proper treatment for the following reasons.
- Ligament damage that tends to heal slowly
- Likelihood of ankle bone fractures
- Recurrent sprains
- Ankle instability
Sprain – Injury of Ligament
When we get an ankle sprain, it means one or more ligaments in the ankle area stretch or tear. However, ligament injuries are not quickly healed due to the poor blood supply that carries essential nutrients and oxygen necessary for tissue repair. So, we need proper treatment to accelerate the healing process.
What Acupuncture Does for Sprains?
Proper stimulation and micro-injuries to the injured ligaments promote blood supply and tissue regeneration. In addition to inserting needles, we use cupping therapy and electric stimulation devices on or near the injured area. These acupuncture treatment modalities alleviate pain and promote healing with minimal adverse effects.
What is Injured?
According to Fallat et al., most ankle sprains occur with an anterior talofibular ligament injury. The following are the frequently injured ligaments.
- Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL) – 82%
- Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL) – 67%
- Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTFL) – 34%
- Deltoid Ligament – 32%
We check which ligament is injured and also how much it is damaged.
How Severe is It?
Differentiating the grade of a ligament injury allows us to select the proper treatment and predict the prognosis of an ankle sprain. For example, if an ankle sprain is in Grade 2 or 3, immobilization and a longer period of treatment might be needed.
- Grade I – stretch of the ligament without significant tearing
- Grade II – partial tear of the ligament
- Grade III – complete tear of the ligament
Fracture? – Ottawa Ankle Rule
The Ottawa Ankle Rules are highly sensitive for detecting fractures of the ankle and foot bones. Studies have shown that they have a sensitivity of approximately 99%. The high sensitivity means that the Ottawa Ankle Rules correctly identify almost all patients with ankle or foot fractures. If one of the following four bony landmarks has tenderness or the patient cannot bear weight immediately after the injury and during the examination, the patient might need further diagnostic imaging tests.
- Posterior edge or tip or lateral malleolus
- Posterior edge or tip or medial malleolus
- Base of 5th metatarsal bone
- Navicular bone
- Inability to bear weight both immediately and during the examination.
Acupuncture could provide a tailored, minimally invasive approach to accelerating healing, reducing pain, and improving functional recovery by facilitating improved blood supply and encouraging tissue regeneration through methods like needle insertion, cupping therapy, and electric stimulation. If you’re dealing with ankle pain, it’s a good idea to consider acupuncture and start your journey with Beyond Acupuncture.
References
Stiell I. (1996). Ottawa ankle rules. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 42, 478–480.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2146318/
Fallat, L. M., Grimm, D. J., & Saracco, J. A. (1998). Sprained ankle syndrome: Prevalence and analysis of 639 acute injuries. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 37(4), 280–285.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s1067-2516(98)80063-x
DISCLAIMER – Link to the Whole Statement
While this blog offers helpful information, it’s not a substitute for medical advice. As an individual’s health concerns are unique and require professional guidance, do not rely solely on online information for self-diagnosis or treatment. If you have health concerns, always consult a healthcare professional for personalized diagnosis and treatment.
