Claúdio Ferreira Nurse Coordinator LUZ 24 Ligaments are elastic bands that help the bones that form part of a joint maintain the correct relationship with each other and keep the joint stable, both at rest and in its normal movements. If a joint is forced into an abnormal position , its ligaments can be overstretched, partially or completely teared, or completely destroyed. The ankle joint is one of the most affected by ligaments strains or tears. A sprained ankle is an injury of the ligaments in the ankle joint; It happens frequently in sports that require sudden movements ; It is also common in everyday life, when for some reason a foot is poorly supported on the floor . High heeled shoes and shoes that are out of fit (too wide or too tight) favor ankle sprains. Symptoms and necessary interventions depend on the type and extent of injury and the ligaments affected. What are the symptoms of a sprained ankle? Symptoms vary with the severity of ligament damage and can be : Local pain; Swelling (edema); Bruise; Fluid accumulation; Difficulty in moving the joint, placing the foot on the floor or carrying load on the joint. The stronger the pain and the greater the swelling, the more severe the sprain. What to do in ankle sprain Cold, pressure, resting and elevating the joint are the precautions that must be taken after an ankle sprain. Apply cold as soon as possible after the injury occurs: Periods of about 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours, especially for the first two days after the injury or until the swelling disappears; Use an ice pack or a cold gel pad, always protected with a towel or cloth and not directly on the skin. Lightly press the joint Pressure helps to stabilize the joint and reduce swelling; You can use an elastic foot (with the correct size) or put on an elastic bandage. If you have never applied a bandage, you should seek help so that the result is not aggravating the problem or interfering with circulation in your foot. Resting means not straining the joint. Should make less movement and occasionally use crutches to prevent weight loading on the joint; It is important that you are not immobilized. Even without being able to put your feet on the ground, keep your routines at home, get up for a walk with the help of crutches or of someone else, exercise other muscles and joints; As symptoms relieve, normal joint movement should begin to resume. Elevating the joint helps reduce swelling. The foot must be above the level of the heart; Support your foot on a high surface if you are sitting or place pillows under your foot if you are lying down. If needed and there is no contraindication, an over-the-counter pain killer can be used . It can take a long time before the symptoms of a sprained ankle completely disappear and you are able to use the joint without limitations. In less severe cases, symptoms resolve within two weeks. When to seek medical care Sometimes, the ligament injuries resolution requires medical care to assess the problem, immobilize the joint or, in extreme cases, decide on a surgical indication. Seek for medical attention wheneve r: Following the sprain, the foot has been left in an abnormal position or appears to be deformed; You cannot move the foot, put the foot on the ground or support weight on the leg of the ankle affected; The joint appears to be unstable; Has had a major bruise; Have a fever; Symptoms do not start to improve with self-care within 2-3 days; You twist the foot repeatedly; If you are a practice sports, to ensure that you have what you need to resume this activity. If you need to, call LUZ 24 – 217 104 424 – the Hospital da Luz clinical triage service, by phone, available 24 hours, 365 days, for adults and children. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
