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The human body consists of 206 bones, each having its unique purpose. Among their many functions, bones support the body, protect organs, accommodate movement, and even cause vibration in the middle ear to allow hearing. One very small bone is the talus, or ankle bone, which only measures around two inches. However, the talus combines with the lower leg bones – the tibia (sometimes referred to as the shin bone) and the fibula – to form the ankle joint, an extremely important joint for movement and load bearing. In fact, the ankle joint transmits the weight of a person’s body from their lower legs to their feet.
When finding the ankle, most would point to the two boney prominences on either side of the foot. In actuality, these knobs are the end of the tibia bone on the inside of the foot, and the end of the fibula bone on the outside of the foot. The talus (ankle bone) actually sits beneath the distal ends of the tibia and fibula to create the ankle joint.
Along with bearing and distributing the weight of the body, the ankle joint allows the foot to move up (dorsiflexion) and down (plantarflexion). The subtalar joint, beneath the talus, allows the foot to go side to side, which is useful when walking on uneven surfaces. Due to its role and location, the ankle joint can be prone to various injuries including sprains, strains, and fractures. These injuries may be sustained by the joint, its surrounding ligaments, cartilage, or tendons. Of these injuries, this article will focus on ankle sprains.
The basic definition of an ankle sprain is when the ligaments that support the ankle joint are abnormally stretched or torn. This could be due to an athletic injury, a fall, an unnatural movement such as a twist or turn, walking on a rough or uneven surface or even wearing shoes without proper support. Ankle sprains can be loosely categorized as simple, complex and chronic. Both simple and complex sprains generally occur due to a specific incident. Chronic sprains are typically diagnosed as a simple or complex sprain that never fully recovered from the original injury.
Ankle sprains are extremely common and may be resolved by resting and elevating the foot. Applying ice or compression may be helpful but should be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider. However, self-diagnosing and treatment may ultimately lead to ongoing symptoms and further injury. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, bruising, restricted movement, inability to bear weight, and the ankle giving way. Proper diagnosis and treatment, by a medical professional, can rule out a complex injury that may worsen. While many sprains can be managed at home under the guidance of a doctor, others may need supportive devices, medication, physical therapy or, depending on severity, surgery.
If a supportive device for the ankle is indicated, there are several options to choose from. However, the choice should be guided by a healthcare professional after a full examination and diagnosis. There are a variety of devices – including braces, boots and stabilizers – that offer varying degrees of support and stability to the ankle joint in order promote healing and prevent further injury. Based on the design, some immobilize the foot, offer compression, absorb shock, address instability, or provide post-operative support. At OptOrtho, we carry several OrthoLoneStar physician recommended devices that can be reviewed with your healthcare provider if a device is prescribed.
Ankle braces
Ankle boots
Ankle stabilizer
