The ankle is critical to our daily movement. What’s in the ankle? Three major bones are supported by muscles, tendons, and, importantly, ligaments. When these ligaments are overstretched or torn, we call that an ankle sprain. But that’s still a wide umbrella term for a range of ankle injuries. Ankle sprains can sideline an athlete for a few days or, in severe cases, keep them out of commission for months. That’s why knowing the type of ankle sprain matters. If we don’t know the injury type, we don’t know how best to treat it.
The most common form of ankle sprain is an inversion ankle sprain, in which the foot rolls inwards, placing pressure on the anterior talofibular ligament. But today, we’re talking about its cousin: the eversion ankle sprain. That’s when the foot rolls outwards. It may be rarer than inversion ankle sprains, but it deserves no less attention.
What causes an eversion ankle sprain?
An eversion ankle sprain pulls on the inner ankle ligament, the deltoid ligament. The deltoid ligament is typically more resilient to injury than the outside ligament. But like any other ligament, it can still be stretched, strained, or torn.
The causes of ankle sprains are similar, but the effects differ. Moving on uneven terrain, jumping and landing incorrectly, or impact during sports can all create inversion or eversion ankle sprains. In all these scenarios, the foot can ‘cave’ outwards, leading to a deltoid ligament sprain. Another major risk factor is having previously sprained the deltoid ligament. Ligament sprains don’t heal; they scar. Your chances of re-injury increase dramatically after a previous injury, so treatment is essential to prevent future ankle injuries.
How are eversion ankle sprains treated?
We used to say RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) for ankle sprains. Now, we’ve split it into two acronyms, one for the moments immediately after the injury and one for sustained recovery. These acronyms are PEACE (Protection, Elevation, Avoid anti-inflammatories, Compression, Education) and LOVE (Load, Optimism, Vascularisation, Exercise). Most of these are self-evident, but some may seem less obvious.
For example, avoiding anti-inflammatories may seem counterintuitive, but swelling is a natural part of the body’s healing process. Attempting to stymie it with anti-inflammatories can stall the natural healing process. Load, Vascularisation, and Exercise, all part of LOVE, operate on a similar principle.
Avoiding movement during recovery isn’t helpful for the body. The best approach is to do manageable movements that keep the injured area limber without putting it under too much stress. This can improve flexibility, support recovery, and increase blood flow to the area, which can speed healing. Do this gradually and consistently, preferably under a physiotherapist’s supervision.
Two methods of treating an ankle sprain are wrapping and taping, which are often confused. Wrapping compresses the area and is more common immediately after the injury. It’s the C of PEACE and can help speed recovery. Taping is a longer-term treatment where a physiotherapist applies adhesive tape to support the affected ligament. For an eversion ankle sprain, the physiotherapist would apply tape to the inside of the ankle, where its tension can help ease strain during movement.
Kinesio® taping is another form of taping, though its effects differ. Kinesio© tape is much more elastic and isn’t designed to support the ligament, though it can ease healing. It cues the ankle to improve posture, activate muscles, and enhance overall biomechanics. It subtly cues your body to stand and move better, improving blood flow and stimulating lymphatic drainage. Both of these speed up the healing process considerably.
These are the more traditional methods of treating eversion ankle sprains. The ideal recovery plan combines traditional modalities and cutting-edge technology for the best results. Here are some of the treatment options available for eversion ankle sprains:
Shockwave Therapy
In Shockwave Therapy, a physiotherapist uses a device to deliver sonic pulses to the affected tissue. This creates stress, but rather than causing damage, it breaks down scar tissue and stimulates tissue regeneration by increasing blood flow to the area. Shockwave Therapy is a great non-invasive treatment option for eversion ankle sprains as it stimulates long-term recovery and has outcomes that last far longer than the individual session.
INDIBA© Therapy
INDIBA Therapy is an advanced treatment that uses electromagnetic currents to deliver energy to the affected tissue. It heats the targeted area precisely by bombarding the tissue with this current at a safe frequency of 448kHz. This triggers the body’s natural healing, regeneration, and repair responses. Specifically, it enables ions to move through the cell membrane, increasing circulation. The accelerated healing from INDIBA Therapy can help athletes eager to get back into play quickly and recover from an eversion ankle sprain. One specific effect of INDIBA Therapy is increased collagen, which also improves the area’s flexibility.
Clinical Pilates
Sometimes an injury requires more active rehabilitation to help the body stay strong. Clinical Pilates is perfect for this, where guided exercises with a physiotherapist can target and strengthen core stability, posture, and balance. Improving these areas can be especially important when treating the root cause of an eversion ankle sprain. The sprain could result from an imbalance elsewhere in the body, so better biomechanics or a stronger mind-body connection can help prevent recurrent or chronic ankle sprains and instability. It can also help prevent future injuries by supporting stable recovery.
Holistic recovery approach
As you can see, there are many ways to treat an eversion ankle sprain. It may be hard to know which ones to use. That’s where a physiotherapist comes in, advising you on what makes the most sense for your injury. Importantly, they’ll know which combination of techniques best supports your condition.
Most often, the best recovery outcomes come from combining several approaches, both traditional and cutting-edge, to hasten recovery and prevent future injuries. A physiotherapist can help you build a plan with individual recovery goals that best match your ankle sprain. This is important because going too hard too fast can worsen outcomes. A physiotherapist can measure your recovery and make it sustainable.
Ready to get back on track after an eversion ankle sprain?
Although eversion ankle sprains are less common than other ankle sprains, they are still a significant injury. The good news is that this means people are constantly researching and developing new treatment methods. Combined modalities have shown the best outcomes, pairing stellar hands-on treatment with advanced technology to manage eversion ankle sprains. If you’re looking to treat an eversion ankle sprain, reach out to a physiotherapist today to receive holistic treatment that gets you back in the game faster and stronger.
Our team of experienced physiotherapists at HelloPhysio can help you recover quickly and effectively. Book an appointment today and take the first step towards a holistic recovery approach that combines traditional and cutting-edge technology.