Football Ankle Injuries

We have experienced a fantastic summer of football, with a gripping end to the Premier League season and a wonderful World Cup in Brazil displaying some of the world's biggest and brightest players on show. After a just a few weeks of no football the new season is upon us, with the Football League and Premier League ready to open their doors and offer fans another season of exciting football.

In a World Cup season the football injuries experienced by players appear to be more high profile, with a countries success sometimes hinging on the inclusion of their star players. Some injuries are more common than others, with this article focussing on the more common ankle injuries sustained.

Sprained Ankle

This is one of the most common ankle injuries sustained, with over 1 million admissions to accident and emergency departments every year and not just isolated to footballers. A sprain occurs where the joint moves suddenly beyond its normal range of motion and stretches the ligaments resulting in inflammation and instability.

Whilst the most common of ankle injuries sustained it is largely self-limiting and you should expect to recover following a few days of rest with ice to help manage the inflammation and pain. An ankle support may also be used to help offer additional compression in managing the inflammation which can work to keep you active for longer.

Ligament Damage

Ligaments are the tough bands of tissue connecting the bones within the joint and are responsible for stabilisation, helping you to walk, run and jump. Whilst a sprained ankle does cause minor damage to the ligaments a serious injury here can even result in surgery to have the ligaments repaired and a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Following surgery a spell of intensive physiotherapy is required in order to rebuild strength in the joint before a player will be able to return to action. A ligament ankle support may also be employed to help offer additional stability during recovery.

Ankle Support

There are a variety of ankle support products depending on the type of ankle injuries you wish to manage. A slight sprain can be managed with a compressive based ankle support whereas where there is instability external strapping works as an external ligament to help manage the condition.

Following a broken ankle or serious ligament damage then a rigid support may be used in the initial recovery stages, helping to minimise the risk of the joint rolling once again and causing further damage. Following this initial period the ankle support may be changed to a softer one as the individual's movement increases.

If you are in doubt as to the severity of an injury or the best support to manage your condition then it is advisable to speak with a clinician who will be able to advise you accordingly.

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