Sports Medicine Moment: Common Ankle Injuries – Strains

Sports Medicine Moment: Common Ankle Injuries – Strains

Written By: Tristen Robinson

Tristen Robinson, M.S., ATC, LAT is a BUZZ Gear Up Blogger and an instructor at Andrew Jackson High School, for the sports medicine magnet program. Checkout the program’s Facebook page at Andrew Jackson High School Sports Medicine. https://www.Facebook.com/Jacksonsportsmed/

 

As we round out this month’s topic, we discuss an injury to the muscles that move the ankle. First, let’s revisit what a strain is. A strain is an over-stretch of a muscle or tendon. Tendons connect muscle to bone. When a muscle is stretched beyond its capacity, the fibers that make up the muscle tear, causing a strain. The muscles that move the ankle are in the front, back, and outside of ankle. The muscles that are commonly strained in the ankle are the muscles on the lateral (outside) of the ankle. Those muscles are called the peroneals.

The peroneal muscles are strained when there is excessive inversion. If you recall, the mechanism of injury for an ankle sprain is excessive inversion. Signs and symptoms of a muscle strain are similar to any other strain in the body. There may be pain along the muscle belly, pain with muscle movement, and swelling.

Treatment for strains would consist of P.R.I.C.E. and depending on the severity, rehabilitation exercises. Of all the injuries discussed this month, this is the least frequent. Often times, strains secondary to a major, such as a sprain. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, as you’re an appropriate healthcare professional.

 

This has been your Sports Medicine Moment…