noscript
tags. Include a link to bypass the detection if you wish.
The ankle is a wobbly matter – literally! Just about everyone knows the pain that comes from missing your step and twisting your ankle: the pain is the result of the lateral ligaments or the outer ankle having undergone a major strain, sometimes even resulting in a broken bone. While both of these scenarios can play out in everyday life, injuries to the upper ankle occur most commonly in sports, where special care should be taken to protect the ankle.
This page provides a brief overview of commonly occurring problem areas; detailed information is available in our FACT SHEET:
Download PDF Related productsAn X-ray of the back of the ankle shows that the joint only contacts the ankle bone at one point, which explains, at least from a purely anatomical perspective, why the ankle is prone to twisting.
The inward twisting of the foot – one of the most common ligament injuries of all – tears the outer (lateral) ligaments in varying degrees of severity, making any movement of the upper ankle joint extraordinarily painful. It would be advisable to have a medical professional examine a twisted ankle to make sure that no bones are broken. In addition to physical therapy, treatment includes a plaster cast followed by elastic bandages.