Orthopedics-Online

Ligament stretch at the ankle

Definition of ligament stretching

A ligament stretch is understood to mean one or more ligaments / ligaments that have been stretched beyond the physiological degree of hianus. This is accompanied by pain and functional impairments in the ankle.

causes

The causes of ligament stretching on the ankle are mostly overused physiological movements (e.g. excessive splaying of the foot, etc.). Sports such as soccer, handball or basketball, in which speed is important, and duels between two players, very often lead to ligament stretching.

The stretching of the ligaments is seen as a preliminary stage of the ligament tear. If either the triggering movement is not so extreme, “only” ligament stretching occurs.
Furthermore, the sudden pain of ligament stretching can lead to an interruption of the unphysiological movement. Car accidents and high-speed trauma in most cases lead to ligament ruptures, while recreational injuries usually cause ligament strains.

Development of a ligament stretch

When the ligament is stretched, one or more ligaments in the ankle are overstrained. To a certain extent, the ligaments adapt to the pulling movement and can slide back into their starting position when the pull is released.

If the maximum point is exceeded, so-called ligament stretching occurs. The band is so stressed that it initially remains in its stretched position and does not immediately slide back into its basic position. If the tape is stretched further anyway, the tape tears or tears. You also tear ligament.
In most cases, ligament stretching or tearing is the result of a combined movement.

If physiological movements of the ankle are overused on the one hand and if these movements are carried out quickly and jerkily on the other hand. If weights also play a part in the movement, the risk of ligament stretching increases accordingly.
In a seated, resting person, kinking the foot cannot affect the ligaments and bones, although the movement is also unphysiological. The same movement in a soccer duel with possibly still turning movements and in connection with the entire body weight, but in many cases leads to injuries to the bones and the ligamentous apparatus.

For more information, read our overview of ligament stretching.

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Symptoms of ligament stretch

The symptoms of Ligament stretching are moderate to in almost all cases strong pain. Depending on the underlying cause of the ligament stretching, the pain is stronger or weaker. Ankle pain will be as pulling or traveling starting from the ankle and drawing into the foot and lower leg.

Contrary to what has been assumed, it cannot necessarily be said that ligament strains from Pain character and are milder in intensity than Torn ligamentswhere more pressure and usually faster speed causes a ligament tear. But ligament stretching can also trigger very severe and long-lasting pain.

Accompanying the pain that occurs immediately after the accident, it almost always occurs Swelling in the area of the belt. The swelling can be massive and in addition to too Restrictions on movement in the area of the joint. In some cases, in addition to the stretching of the ligament, the ones accompanying the ligaments also tear Blood vessels and thus also to smaller or larger ones Bleeding. These can take the form of large areas Hematomas pointing at the ankle.

The overall constellation Pain, Swelling and Hematoma almost always leads to impairment in movement Ankle joint. The patients with a straight ligament stretch mostly fall into one Relieving posture and keep the leg and lower leg still to prevent further pain.

Pain from a ligament stretch in the ankle

A ligament stretch at the ankle, for example by twisting an ankle, is initially noticeable as pain in the ankle area. The pain increases with movement and with stress on the joint. There is also a swelling of the joint, this can be seen around the ankle and it can be more or less pronounced.

Because of the pain, the development of force in the ankle joint is reduced and the extent of the movements is also reduced. Standing and walking are possible, but painful.

In contrast to the symptoms of a torn ligament, the pain and swelling are much less pronounced.

Symptoms of a Ligament Stretch? - Learn more about it.

Bruising / swelling after stretching a ligament

A bruise (Hematoma) usually does not arise when the ankle is stretched. This is because when the ligament is stretched, the ligaments are only stretched and the tissue around them is not damaged. Bleeding does not occur here, or only with additional small tears. In contrast, if a ligament ruptures, this tissue is also damaged and bleeding occurs in the surrounding tissue. This is then externally visible as a bruise and also leads to swelling of the joint.

Swelling is one of the first symptoms of ligament stretching. This occurs when the ankle is stretched in the area of the ankle.
Compared to a torn ligament, however, the swelling is less pronounced. One of the reasons for this is the bruise that forms when the ligament is torn, but is usually absent when the ligament is stretched.

treatment

If the ligament is stretched, the most important thing is to protect the joint. If the ankle ligament is stretched, straining the foot should be avoided, so walking and standing should be avoided. If ligaments have been stretched during exercise, all sporting activity should be stopped immediately and a break should be taken instead.

To counteract swelling, the ankle should be cooled quickly. Either cold water or ice can be used. With ice, however, care should be taken that it does not lie directly on the skin, but that a cloth lies in between to avoid frostbite.

The cooling results in increased blood flow to the ankle. Therefore, a compression bandage should be applied afterwards to prevent excessive swelling. This can also be achieved by elevation as this prevents excessive blood from flowing into the injured area.

To rule out a broken bone, a doctor should be consulted. If this confirms a ligament stretch, the foot can continue to be loaded normally. So walking is possible, but sport should be avoided for the time being.
However, if there is severe pain under load, the joint or the overstretched ligament can be supported with a so-called pneumatic stabilization splint for six to eight weeks. This is a plastic splint with air cushions attached to the inside, thereby stabilizing the joint.
If walking is painless after this time, the splint can be dispensed with and the foot can gradually be loaded again. Care should be taken to start with a light load and gradually increase the load.

Read more about the treatment of ligament stretching here.

Treatment with a tape

Putting on a tape (kinesio tape) can support the stretched ligaments at the ankle. This should be done by a doctor or physical therapist who has mastered the technique of taping. The tape can be left on the skin until it comes off by itself. This is usually the case after about three to five days.

The effect of the tape is similar to that of a bandage. It has a supportive effect on the ligaments and provides more support and stability. However, tape alone does not protect against a new twist.

The tape can also be used if you start exercising again after the pain and swelling have subsided.
Despite the tape, care should be taken to ensure that the load is not too heavy, especially in the first few weeks, because the stability of the stretched ligaments must first be restored through light training before the resilience and functionality of the initial situation is restored.

Read more on the topic: Kinesio tape

Duration of a ligament stretch

If the foot is spared and cooled immediately after ligament stretching and no further stress is applied, the healing should usually not take longer than two weeks. It is important that the joint is spared during this time and that no sport is played. Regular cooling and putting the foot up can also have a positive effect on the healing process. Normal loads, such as walking, are possible, however.

If the foot is not spared enough and you start exercising too early, the symptoms of ligament stretching can quickly return. Often they are even more pronounced than when they first appeared.

Only when the pain and swelling have subsided can you slowly start training again. Depending on the extent of the injury, the ankle can be fully resilient after approx. 6 weeks.

How long does a ligament stretch take? Read more here.

anatomy

The upper ankle is formed on the one hand from the bones of the lower leg and from the bones of the foot. The lower leg consists of the Tibia (Shin) and the Fibula (Fibula), which wrap around the bones of the foot like a kind of clamp and thus allow the movements possible in the foot.
There are also numerous Tapesthat connect and stabilize the lower leg and foot. The most important bands are the so-called Medial collateral ligament on the inside of the Ankle. It is also called Delta band designated.
The straps are on the outside Talofibular anterior ligament, Posterior talofibular ligament as well as that Calcaneofibular ligament. All tapes cause both the Plantar flexion as well as the Plantar extension stable is possible. They also have the effect that the arch of the foot is kept in its actual shape and so the statics of the human body can be maintained. Due to their structure and consistency, tapes can only be stretched to a limited extent. If the maximum expansion point is exceeded, it happens Torn or torn through.