Ankle Roll

An ankle roll can occur to anybody at anytime in the world, this injury does not have to happen during physical activities such as basketball, you could roll your ankle if you step on an uneven surface or step on an angle.  Ankle joints as wells as the bone are held together in place by ligaments which is an elastic structure like an rubber band that protects the ankle joints from twisting or rolling.  When a person rolls their ankle, their ligaments are stretched beyond their normal position as a result tearing the elastic fibers.  Also, when a person rolls their ankle and if the force was too great then they can completely tear their ligaments which may acquire the person to undergo surgery.  Some people believe they have rolled their ankles so they do not go to the doctor however there is always a chance that you could have a broken bone in the ankle or foot.  A broken bone can have similar symptoms of pain and swelling.  I choose this topic because I have a history of rolling ankles.

Severity	Physical Examination Findings	Impairment	Pathophysiology	Typical Treatment*
Grade 1	Minimal tenderness and swelling	Minimal	Microscopic tearing of collagen fibers	Weight bearing as tolerated No splinting/casting Isometric exercises Full range-of-motion and stretching/ strengthening exercises as tolerated
Grade 2	Moderated tenderness and swelling Decreased range of motion Possible instability	Moderated	Complete tears of some but not all collagen fibers in the ligament	Immobilization with air splint Physical therapy with range-of-motion and stretching/ strengthening exercises
Grade 3	Significant swelling and tenderness Instability	Severe	Complete tear/ rupture of ligament	Immobilization Physical therapy similar to that for grade 2 sprains but over a longer period Possible surgical reconstruction