Ankle Sprain Evaluation, Conservative Treatment and Rehabilitation

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by Steven Spinner, DPM
Director of Podiatric Residency Training,
Plantation General Hospital
36-month Podiatric Surgical Residency

Podiatry Residents will probably treat more ankle sprains than any other injury during their tenure.  We have come a long way since slapping on an ace bandage and applying ice was the standard of care. 

Forty to seventy two percent of patients who sustain an ankle sprain will have residual symptoms six to eight months after the injury.  Treating an ankle sprain appropriately can be the difference between a quick recovery and a lingering injury.  Ten percent of ankle injuries involve a syndesmotic injury.  This is the factor most predictive of residual symptoms.  How does one identify a syndesmotic injury or for that matter an osteochondral injury to the Talar dome, or fracture of the anterior process of the calcaneus?

Dr. Spinner discusses the role of cutaneous receptors and ankle joint position sense particularly as it relates to the benefit of external ankle support.  The resident comes away with a rational approach to treating ankle sprains and better understands the roles of immobilization, surgery and functional rehab in conjunction with external support.

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