In training we often hear people say: “I have a sprained foot.” This is actually an ankle sprain. Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. According to some data, it accounts for 20% to 40% of all sports injuries. Most ankle sprains are caused by excessive stretching or tearing of the ligaments around the ankle joint, and in severe cases, they can be accompanied by avulsion fractures. Since the ankle joint is an important hub and weight-bearing joint for human movement, its condition directly determines the quality of human life and movement. So, why is the ankle joint more prone to injury? What should be done after an injury? Will there be any after-effects? Is it as many people think that “it’s okay, it will be fine after a few days of rest”? The ankle joint is prone to sprains because of its function and anatomical structure. When the ankle joint is plantar flexed (i.e., we do tiptoeing), the foot is often turned inward, i.e., the center of the foot is turned inward. Due to the unique anatomy of the ankle joint, the ankle joint is not well matched and is in an unstable state of “flexible but not stable”. Therefore, if we lose balance during plantarflexion of the ankle joint (such as going down stairs, descending a hill, landing after jumping, etc.), it will easily cause inversion of the joint and lead to inversion injury of the ankle joint, i.e. lateral ankle sprain. Statistics show that lateral ankle sprains account for about 85% of all ankle sprains. In this case, the soft tissues in the ankle joint are crushed and impacted, causing damage to the cartilage surface and swelling of the synovial membrane, resulting in swelling and bruising around the ankle joint. If the correct treatment is not provided in time, the lateral support strength of the ankle joint decreases and the proprioception of the joint decreases. As a result, the instability of the ankle joint will increase and the ankle joint will be easily re-strained, resulting in chronic symptoms such as pain, swelling and unstable walking, which may cause other joint injuries and a chain reaction. 1.How to prevent ankle sprain 1.Pay attention to the training of muscle strength and proprioception around the ankle joint; 2.Prepare adequately before exercise; 3.Reduce the amount of exercise appropriately; 4.Select high-top shoes with soft soles, elastic bandages or semi-rigid supports during exercise. How to judge the degree of ankle sprain Patients with acute sprains mostly show pain and subcutaneous bruising; in severe cases, there may be synovial or cartilage damage, showing swelling and pressure pain around the ankle joint and limited ankle movement. When ligament tears or fractures occur, pain and swelling are more pronounced on the injured side or fracture end of the ankle joint. Patients with repeated injuries tend to have a loose joint capsule, which is prone to secondary cartilage damage, synovitis, bony redundancy and other joint surface injuries. Many patients suffer from this and have to wrap thick bandages and braces around the ankle to increase their sense of security. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can clearly show the damage of cartilage, ligament and synovial membrane, and together with the medical history and physical examination, doctors can make a correct diagnosis and treat accordingly to eliminate the pain-causing factors, enhance joint stability and relieve symptoms. Many people have an indifferent attitude towards ankle sprains, thinking that “it will be fine after two days of recovery”. In fact, proper rest is needed, but it is not the whole treatment. Patients with untreated sprains are three to four times more likely to re-injure their ankle than those with regular treatment. If the injury does not involve the ligamentous tissues, the first injury in the acute stage can be treated satisfactorily if the patient receives regular conservative treatment under the guidance of a specialist and observes the principles of rest, ice, compression dressing and elevation of the affected limb. In the acute stage, cold compresses can be applied within 24-48 hours, 10-20 minutes each time, once in 6 hours, and hot compresses for 2-3 days after 48 hours to promote the absorption of local tissue exudate as soon as possible and reduce pain. If necessary, the ankle can be fixed with adhesive tape for 2 to 3 weeks. Conservative treatment for chronic injuries is less effective. The goal of treatment is to improve pain and instability, and sometimes surgical reconstruction of the ligaments is needed to improve ankle stability; minimally invasive ankle arthroscopy can be performed to eliminate painful factors such as synovitis, cartilage damage or free bodies. In general, early diagnosis, early examination and early treatment are necessary to achieve good results.