Ankle Joint Sprain- ankle pain

A sprained ankle occurs when a person twists, turns, rolls or pivots awkwardly on the ankle. It results in a tearing of the ligaments that connect bone to bone and assists patients in stabilising the ankle joint. The most common sprains are plantar flexion/inversion sprains often known as rolled ankles. It’s commonly attributed to athletes requiring a sharp and sudden change of direction or landing motions for example football and netball. Sprained ankles usually present with swelling, inflammation, pain and a limited range of motion at the ankle joint. Common risk factors of ankle sprain include:

• A previous history of ankle sprains
• Lack of strength, stability and flexibility to the ankle
• Explosive and sudden change of direction
• Age
• Poor balance
• Inappropriate footwear

Ankle sprains are graded between 1 and 3 based on the severity of the injury. Grade 1 being a minor tear producing minimal pain, a slight loss of balance and a lack of stability around the joint. Grade 2 referring to partial tearing of the ligament fibres around the ankle joint showing moderate to severe pain, swelling and stiffness and poor balance. Grade 3 indicating a complete ligamentous tear generating severe pain and swelling approximating the ankle joint and poor balance. Management of the condition is attributed with maintaining the lateral (outside) ligaments of the foot /ankle via a brace or strapping tape and prescribing orthotics or a rehabilitation program involving adjusting the foot and ankle. Patients are asked to weight bear as soon as possible to ensure the fastest possible recovery time which helps with strengthening of the ankles muscles and ligaments.   Cold Laser therapy or low-level laser therapy is a treatment modality that is also used highly in the management of Ankle Joint Sprains. Cold laser therapy is a new innovative treatment option that has shown promising results in the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions. Cold laser therapy (low-level laser therapy) is a non-invasive, inexpensive treatment option that works by increasing the circulation of oxygen and blood to the working soft tissue structures throughout the body, to enhance repair of damaged tissues. In curing ankle joint sprains, the cold laser therapy initiates an inhibitory response that decreases inflammation (swelling) of the joint to enhance optimum tissue repair. Treatment approximately lasts between 10-20 minutes and requires 10 visits with 2-3 sessions per week to gain maximum function back to the ankle joint. The emitter is placed over the affected region and moved around the whole of the lateral surface of the foot/ankle with roughly 4 minutes on each section at a given time.
Lakeside laser is located in the heart of Joondalup in Perth’s north on 3/45 Central Walk, with visitors from around Perth including, North Beach, Currambine, Iluka, Alkimos, Scarborough, Inglewood and Heathridge. To talk to our trained cold laser/ super pulsed Laser professionals about therapy you can contact us on 93000095 to book an appointment or schedule a treatment via our book now tab on our website www.lakesidelaser.com.au. Our staff look forward to seeing you shortly.