.jpg)
An ankle is a complex joint made up of many intersecting, interacting muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. These all work together to provide stability to the ankle and to provide it with a wide range of motion for a variety of activities.
Since the ankle is made up of so many moving parts and it bears a lot of your body weight, it’s vulnerable to a number of injuries. One common injury is a sprain, which is when one of the ankle ligaments overstretches or tears.
Symptoms of a torn ligament in the ankle
- Pain and tenderness — Pain and tenderness to the touch develop quickly once you’ve torn a ligament in your ankle. These can be symptoms of other injuries as well, so it’s a good idea to review your other symptoms and visit a doctor for a thorough diagnosis.
- Swelling — The body will send fluid concentrated with white blood cells to your ankle if a ligament has been torn. This will cause the ankle to swell and grow stiff. Swelling can increase the amount of pain you feel in your ankle.
- Instability — One of the clearest symptoms of a torn ankle ligament is that the ankle is unable to bear weight. When attempting to stand on an ankle with a torn ligament, the ankle may roll or buckle under the weight. If your ankle does this, you should visit a doctor for treatment.
If you have any of these symptoms and suspect you may have a torn ligament in your ankle, don’t hesitate to seek help. A medical professional can examine the condition of your ankle and run diagnostic tests to determine the source of your pain and form a treatment.
Treating a torn ligament in the ankle
Usually, a torn ligament in the ankle can recover with some time and physical rehabilitation. However, ankle tears that are too severe may require surgical intervention.
Orthopedic surgeons can use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to repair minor tears and remove debris, such as bone fragments and loose tissue. For even more severe tears, a surgeon may perform reconstruction surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged portion of the ligament and replaces it with healthy tissue from your body or a donor.
Whether you need arthroscopic surgery or reconstruction, surgery can help you recover from a torn ligament and regain the use of your ankle.
Visit the iRISE Spine and Joint Institute for sprained ankle treatment
Do you suspect you might have torn a ligament in your ankle? Do you need to talk to a doctor about diagnosis and treatment? Our orthopedic specialists at the Florida Spine and Joint Institute have got you covered. Contact our team today for more information about sprained ankle treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.