We often hear people say, “I have a sprained foot.” It’s actually an ankle sprain. Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. Some data show that it accounts for 20 to 40 percent of all sports injuries. Most ankle sprains are excessive strains or tears of the ligaments around the ankle joint, and can be accompanied by avulsion fractures in severe cases. 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 I do after an injury? Will there be any after-effects? Is it as many people think “it doesn’t matter, it will be fine after a few days of rest”? Why is the ankle joint easily sprained? This is determined by the function of the ankle joint and its anatomical structure. When the ankle is plantar-flexed, that is, when we tiptoe, the foot often turns inward, that is, the heart of the foot turns inward. Due to the anatomical structure of the ankle joint, the ankle joint is not well matched at this time and is in an unstable state of “flexible but not stable”. Therefore, if we lose balance during the plantar flexion of the ankle joint, such as going down stairs, descending a hill, or landing after jumping, it will easily cause the joint to turn inward, resulting in an inward turning injury of the ankle joint, i.e. lateral ankle sprain. Statistics show that lateral ankle sprains account for about 85% of all ankle sprains. At this point, the soft tissues within the ankle joint are crushed and impacted with cartilage surface damage and synovial swelling, causing swelling and bruising around the ankle joint. If proper treatment is not provided in a timely manner, there is a decrease in the strength of the lateral support of the ankle joint and a decrease in joint proprioception. In this way, the instability of the ankle joint will increase and the ankle joint will easily be sprained again, with chronic phase symptoms such as pain, swelling and unstable walking, and can cause other joint injuries and a chain reaction. How to prevent ankle sprain 1, usually pay attention to the muscle strength around the ankle joint and proprioceptive training. 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 when exercising. How to determine the degree of ankle sprain Patients with acute sprains mostly show pain and subcutaneous bruising; severe cases may have synovial or cartilage damage, showing swelling and pressure pain around the ankle joint and limited ankle movement. When a ligament tear or fracture occurs, the pain and swelling on the injured side or fracture end of the ankle joint is more obvious. In patients with repeated injuries, the joint capsule tends to relax and is prone to secondary cartilage injury, synovitis, bone redundancy and other joint surface injuries, resulting in widespread pain, pressure and swelling on the chronically injured side or within the joint, a feeling of insecurity and leg weakness when wearing high heels or walking on uneven roads. Many patients are so disturbed by this that they have to wrap thick bandages and braces around the outside of the ankle to increase their sense of security. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can clearly show the damage to cartilage, ligaments and synovial membranes, and together with the medical history and physical examination, the doctor can make a correct diagnosis and treat the patient accordingly to eliminate the pain-causing factors, enhance joint stability and relieve symptoms. How to treat a sprain Many people have an indifferent attitude towards ankle sprains, thinking that they will be fine after two days. Proper rest is needed, but it is not all that is needed for treatment. Patients who have not been properly treated are three to four times more likely to re-injure their ankle than those who have been properly treated. If the injury does not involve ligamentous tissues, as long as the patient receives regular conservative treatment under the guidance of a specialist and observes the principles of rest, icing, compression bandaging and elevation of the affected limb, satisfactory results can be obtained. In the acute stage, cold compresses can be applied for 24 to 48 hours, 10 to 20 minutes each time, once every 6 hours, and hot compresses for 2 to 3 days after 48 hours, in order to promote the absorption of local tissue exudate as soon as possible and reduce pain. If necessary, the ankle can be fixed and braked with adhesive tape for 2 to 3 weeks. In patients with chronic injuries, conservative treatment is less effective. Improving pain and instability is the goal of treatment, sometimes requiring surgical reconstruction of ligaments to improve ankle stability; at the same time, minimally invasive ankle arthroscopy can be performed to eliminate pain-causing factors such as synovitis, cartilage damage or free bodies. In general, early consultation, early examination and early treatment are necessary to achieve good results