20-year-old male with right ankle sprain
Clinical Features:
A 20-year-old male, who has been playing football, had suffered from right ankle
sprain yesterday. He went to see a medical doctor and radiographs didn't indicate
any sign of fracture. Pharmaceutical procedures was given to him in order to
reduce inflammation, and referred to our clinic.
Clinical findings:
・Observation - Swelling was found on the symptomatic site.
・ Palpation - Pain was located anteriorly over the anterior tibiofibular ligament
and lateral aspect of ankle soft tissue (peroneus tertius muscle)
・ Orthopedic exam - Pain was elicited through a variety of tests designed to
stress ankle articulation through diastatic forces.
Intervention and Outcome
Treatment plan included chiropractic manipulation, active release technic,
physiotherapy modalities, and rehabilitation was offerd. Care must be taken to
avoid stressing the supporting ligaments during the early course of therapy. Initial
treatment is aimed at reducing pain and inflammation using modalities such as
microcurrent and P.R.I.C.E. principles. Treatment over subsequent weeks
involves progressive resistance exercises, proprioceptive challenges, plyometric
exercises and sport-specific agility drills, while maintaining cardiovascular fitness.
Conclusion
The most common mechanism of ankle sprain is forced external rotation in a
dorsiflexed foot. Practitioner should also be cognizant of the indolent nature of
this injury and possibility for sequelae. Anterior ankle pain and pain with a deep
squat or during the push-off phase of gait are typical of this injury. Radiographs
to rule out fracture and evaluate the extent of the injury may be necessary.
Conservative therapy involving chiropractic manipulation, active release technic,
physiotherapy modalities, and rehabilitation was effective for this case of Grade I
and II injuries, while Grade III injuries require a surgical intervention.