Foot & Ankle Ligament Injuries

Common causes include:

·      Abnormal movements – moving the foot and ankle joints outside their normal range of motion can stretch, tear, or detach foot and ankle tendons. This often occurs when walking or running on uneven surfaces, changing direction quickly (like cutting or pivoting in sport), and

·      Sudden twists or blows – blunt force trauma may cause foot and ankle ligament injuries. Ligament injuries caused in this way sometimes accompany foot and ankle fractures.

·      Overuse – Failure to ease into a new exercise or to rest effectively after intense activity may cause pain and swelling.

A doctor may diagnose a foot or ankle ligament injury using one or more of the following tests:

·      Physical exam – at Orthopaedics SA, an expert foot and ankle surgeon inspects your injury to determine its nature. They assess your physical symptoms such as pain, swelling, and deformity, and ask questions about how your pain began.

·      X-ray – to look at the bones in your foot and ankle. These tests do not often show ligament injuries well, but can rule out fractures as a cause of your symptoms.

·      CT scan – to see the bones in greater detail than may be seen on an X-ray. These are rarely needed, but your doctor may request one to help plan for surgery if needed.

·      MRI – to assess the foot and ankle’s sot structures. This is the best imaging test for identifying ligament injuries, but is often not needed as their results only confirm the physical exam’s findings. MRIs may be used to identify accompanying or alternative diagnoses and to plan for surgery.

Most foot and ankle ligament injuries can be treated without surgery. Non-surgical treatments include:

·      Rest – A period of reduced activity allows the injury to heal, and is often the first recommended line of treatment. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter painkillers (such as Nurofen or Advil) to reduce pain.

·      First aid – Immediately after the injury occurs, applying the RICER protocol can reduce pain and swelling to optimise recovery timelines. Assessment by a general practitioner or orthopaedic surgeon is recommended within 48 hours to address more severe injuries if they are present.

·      Splinting and/or bracing – Supporting the injury as it heals can reduce pain and promote a successful recovery. Your doctor may recommend a standard ankle brace or bandage from a pharmacy or refer you for a customised support.

Ligament repair surgeries are sometimes needed, as torn ligaments may retract and be unable to heal against each other. Occasionally, if you suffer from repeat sprains or instability, your Orthopaedics SA doctor may recommend surgery to tighten the ligaments.

Where the ligaments cannot be reattached, internal fixation is sometimes used to restore stability. This is particularly the case in significant Lisfranc injuries.