Eversion Ankle Sprain
An eversion ankle sprain is rare and occurs when the ankle rolls too far inwards. It is often accompanied by a fracture of the fibula bone.
Symptoms
- Immediate pain on the inside of the ankle after twisting it.
- Rapid swelling.
- Bruising may develop.
- Difficulty weight bearing.
- Limited motion.
In moderate to severe ankle sprains it is always recommended that an x-ray is requested to rule out fractures.
What is an Eversion Sprain?
An eversion sprain is a tear of the deltoid ligaments, on the inside of the ankle. These ligaments provide support to prevent the ankle turning inwards or everting. It is rare for the deltoid ligaments to be sprained for two reasons:
- The fibula bone tends to prevent the ankle from moving far enough to sprain or over stretch the ligament.
- The medial ligaments are stronger than the lateral ones.
An eversion sprain (often called a medial ankle sprain or a deltoid ligament sprain) is often associated with a fracture of the Fibula (medial malleolus) or other bones in the ankle such as the Talus.
Treatment of Medial Ankle Sprains
Initial treatment should involve:
- Rest - do not attempt to play on!
- Ice - or another form of cold therapy to reduce bleeding and swelling. This should be applied for 15 minutes, every 2-3 hours.
- Compression - using a compression bandage to help limit swelling.
- Elevation - to reduce swelling.
This treatment should continue until all bleeding has ceased (usually 48-72 hours). Further treatment should involve regaining full mobility and strengthening the ankle to prevent future injuries.
Medial ligament sprains are treated the same way as lateral ligament sprains although recovery can take twice as long.
