We often hear people say, “I’ve sprained my foot.” This is actually an ankle sprain. Ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries. Some data show that it accounts for 20% to 40% of all sports trauma. Ankle sprains are mostly overstretching or tearing of the ligaments around the ankle joint, and can be accompanied by avulsion fracture in severe cases. Since the ankle joint is an important pivot and load-bearing joint for human movement, its condition directly determines the quality of human life and sports. So, why is the ankle more prone to injury? What should be done after the injury? Will there be any after-effects? Is it just like what many people think, “It doesn’t matter, just rest for a few days”? This is the function of the ankle joint and its anatomical structure determines. Ankle joint in plantarflexion, that is, we do tiptoe this action, often feet will be turned inward, that is, the heart of the foot turned inward. Due to the unique anatomical structure of the ankle joint, the ankle joint cannot match well at this time, and is in an unstable state of “more flexibility, less stability”. Therefore, when we plantarflex the ankle, such as walking down stairs, going downhill, jumping and then landing, if we lose balance, it is easy to cause the joint to turn inward, leading to ankle inversion injury, i.e. lateral ankle sprain. Statistics show that lateral ankle sprains account for about 85% of the total number of ankle sprains. At this time, the soft tissues in the ankle joint are squeezed and impacted to appear cartilage surface damage, synovial membrane swelling, causing swelling and bruising around the ankle joint. If proper treatment is not carried out in time, there is a decrease in the strength of the lateral support of the ankle joint and a decrease in the proprioception of the joint. In this way, the instability of the ankle joint will be aggravated, and the ankle joint will be easily sprained again, with chronic phase symptoms such as pain, swelling, and walking instability, and can cause other joint injuries and a chain reaction. How to prevent ankle sprains 1, usually pay attention to the training of muscle strength and proprioception around the ankle joint. 2, adequate preparation activities before exercise. 3, appropriate to reduce the amount of exercise. 4, choose high-top shoes with soft soles, elastic bandages or semi-rigid supports when exercising. How to determine the degree of ankle sprain Acute sprain patients mostly manifested as pain, subcutaneous bruising; serious synovial or cartilage damage, manifested as swelling and pressure pain around the ankle joint, ankle joint activity is limited. When ligament tear or fracture occurs, the pain and swelling are more obvious on the injured side of the ankle or the fracture end. Patients with repeated injuries tend to have laxity of the joint capsule, which is prone to secondary cartilage damage, synovitis, osteochondritis dissecans and other injuries of the joint surfaces, and there is widespread pain, tenderness and swelling on the side of the chronic injury or in the joint, as well as a feeling of insecurity and weakness of the leg when wearing high-heeled shoes or walking on an uneven road. Many patients are so disturbed by this that they have to wrap thick bandages and braces around the outside of the ankle joint to increase their sense of security. After ankle sprains, patients often need to take X-rays to rule out fractures and to detect bone growths. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can clearly show damage to cartilage, ligaments and synovium, and combined with a history and physical examination, the doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and treat accordingly in order to eliminate the pain-causing factors, enhance the stability of the joint, and alleviate the symptoms. Sprained, how to cure Many people have a carefree attitude towards ankle sprains, thinking that “two days of rest will be fine”, in fact, it is not. Appropriate rest is necessary, but not all the treatment, without formal treatment of patients, ankle joint re-injury is three to four times more likely than the regular treatment of patients. Acute phase of the first injury patients, if the injury does not involve the ligamentous tissue, as long as in the guidance of the specialist to accept the formal conservative treatment, comply with the rest, ice, pressure bandage, elevate the affected limb principle, can be satisfied with the results of the treatment. Acute phase 24 ~ 48 hours can be cold compresses, 10 ~ 20 minutes each time, once every 6 hours, 48 hours after the hot compresses for 2 ~ 3 days, in order to promote the local tissue seepage as soon as possible to absorb, reduce pain. If necessary, the ankle can be fixed with adhesive tape to brake for 2 to 3 weeks. The effect of conservative treatment for patients with chronic injuries is relatively poor. Improving the symptoms of pain and instability is the goal of treatment, and sometimes surgical reconstruction of ligaments is needed to improve the stability of the ankle joint; meanwhile, minimally invasive ankle arthroscopy can be used to eliminate the pain-causing factors such as synovitis, cartilage damage, or free bodies. Overall, early consultation, early examination, and early treatment are required to achieve good results.