Ankle sprain-Syndesmosis

What are the causes and symptoms of High ankle sprain?

The most common cause of this type of injury would be when your foot is planted on the ground and then an excessive outwards twisting of your foot occurs, like what commonly happens with football tackles!  The symptoms include feeling pain both when you walk and above the ankle, particularly when you rotate the foot in an outward motion. From a visual perspective, there is usually clear bruising and swelling above the ankle, or the ‘High ankle’ area.

Knowing this is my injury what is my best course of action...and what can I expect?

You can, without referral from a doctor directly contact your Physiotherapist, as they are the experts in the treatment and rehabilitation of such injuries. A Physiotherapist, with a special interest in sports injuries, would usually have the greatest expertise in this area. If they suspect a high ankle sprain or Syndesmosis injury they may recommend a ‘mortise’ view on X-ray, CT scan or MRI to confirm the diagnosis. Patients with a high ankle sprain with or without a fracture may at first not bear weight and this will slowly be progressed depending on healing. Normal rehabilitation rules will apply as for normal ankle sprains but would only commence 2 to 4 weeks later. The treatment of Syndesmosis injury is extensive, but the sooner it commences the better the recovery time, so contact us as soon as any such injury occurs and we’ll assist to get you back out there again!