Ankle Sprains

Most people go over on their ankle( ankle sprains) at some stage in their lives. Usually they go over outwards and it is the outside of the ankle that gets injured. The ankle is stabilized by muscles, tendons and ligaments. Usually when you go over, it is an instantaneous thing where the muscles have failed to switch on and stabilize and the strain falls on the ligaments to protect you. The muscles also get strained as they try to correct the situation mid accident firing up too late. There are a lot of  ligaments in the ankle so the stability is quiet strong. Luckily, usually the ligaments strain rather than rupture. If they rupture  the sound will almost be like the sound of a tree branch breaking. You most likely will hear it. Luckily, because there are so many ligaments, even if one or two rupture, you can usually rehab the ankle fully. Protection such as strapping/taping or the likes of an ASO ankle brace may be needed thereafter, if some ligaments are torn fully, and you are involved in a sport where rapid twisting and turning  are part of the game and the training.

 

Treatment

Treatment of ankle sprains is pretty straight forward. One important point is that often most of the pain is due to the swelling that occurs rapidly post injury, so it is important to limit this. Immobilize the foot straight away. Start on NSAIDs(non steroid anti-inflammatories) immediately. Ice immediately(wet towel around iced, around the foot for about 10 mins every half hour or so). There are cold compression therapy machines which are excellent for this kind of injury. Obviously they are not always readily available.  They probably are a worthwhile investment for competitive clubs as they are not overly expensive.

A few days after ankle sprains physio can be commenced. This often includes gentle mobilization of the joints of the foot, massage to ease of strained/spasmed muscles and remove some of the swelling through the lymph nodes etc. Different grades of damage require slight modifications in approach but the basic idea is to get rid of inflammation, get movement back in the joints of the foot and relax down the strained muscles. Home rehab given to the patient involves self mobilization of the foot along with progressive strengthening exercises. Usually the condition does not require too many physio sessions but rather a progressive strengthening program prescribed by the physio and followed by the patient. Sometimes if pain lingers, the fibular head may have dropped slightly during the injury(so it is misplaced slightly) and it may need to be gently mobilized back into place using something like ”Mulligan Technique”. The movement of the fibular head can have been tiny, but the shift can cause considerable pain to linger if not rectified.  A good physio will always have done this during treatment anyway.

Rehab progression will involve things like calf raises, heel to toes taps, proprioception exercises, standing on one foot, standing up on toes of one foot, hopping on one foot, walking , jogging, jumping in various directions. It is recommended that an ASO ankle brace be worn during training and playing for several months after the injury to prevent recurrence. Strengthening work and controlled  training is done without the brace to ensure continued strengthening of the ankle. The ankle will not weaken as a result of the ankle brace as the muscles still have to fire during play, but continued strengthening and a build up of controlled exercise intensity without the ankle brace should also take place for full recovery.

Physiotherapists in Tralee phone 086-7700191

 

Sub-acromial bursitis. Overview by Physio in Tralee.

 

Sub-acromial bursitis is a common cause of shoulder pain that is usually related to impingement of the bursa between the supraspinatus muscle tendon and the acromion bone(see diagram). Bursae(single = bursa) are fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction wherever tendons move under or over bone. The Supraspinatus muscle runs along the top of the shoulder blade and inserts via the tendon onto the top of the arm(humerus bone). This muscle is used to lift the arm up sideways . Above the supraspinatus tendon and under the acromion there is a bursa. When this bursa gets inflamed and swollen it can become trapped under the acromium bone of the shoulder causing pain and inflammation.

 

Symptoms

Symptoms of sub-acromial bursitis can be similar to those of supraspinatus  muscle/tendon injury within the shoulder. There will be pain and weakness in the arm, particularly when it is lifted sideways from the hip to overhead.  Pain at different levels 0f this 180 degree arc can indicate different injuries. If it is the tendon that is injured rather than the bursa somebody may be able to lift your arm over your head for you, with much less pain than you would have lifting your arm by itself. If you have a sub-acromial bursitis, especially if it is severe, neither you or another person will be able to lift that arm fully over your head. As the arm is lifted, there is increased compression on the bursa due to reduction within the sub-acromial space. This limits the upward movement of the arm  due to severe pain and restriction caused to the swollen/inflamed bursa. If a supraspinatus muscle/tendon tear is the cause of the pain, another person will be able to lift your arm fully over your head for you, with significantly less pain than you doing it on your own. This is  because they take over the function of the torn or injured muscle/tendon. These are important differences, as they often allow a practitioner to differentiate between both injuries .

What Causes It?

Sometimes, an injury damages the bursa in your shoulder. Overuse of your shoulder muscle can also cause damage. People who do a lot of overhead lifting and/or forceful pulling are at risk.  Sports  involving a lot of throwing or pitching can also irritate the sub-acromial bursa. Other factors that can help cause this type of bursitis include:

Your age. Bursitis in the shoulder becomes more likely as you age.

Poor posture with the shoulders arched forwards increases the risk of this injury. It causes impingement of the supraspinatus tendon and bursa by making the sub-acromial space smaller.

Poor shoulder flexibility/mobility.

Infection, arthritis, gout, diabetes, or thyroid disease can also cause issues.

Treatment

With very mild bursitis rest from aggravating activities and the use of non-steroid anti-inflammatories can be beneficial. A physio can loosen out the shoulder structure and give you exercises to improve shoulder posture, mobility and strength. In bad cases of bursitis, a cortisone injection into the area, done correctly, can bring full relief within days, especially if the condition is recent. Posture must be corrected, and aggravating activities reduced, thereafter, for long-term relief. For more troublesome recurring bursitis, a surgeon may need to remove the bursa altogether. Bursae do grow back, but now you have a new one to start afresh.

Physical Therapist in Tralee phone 086-7700191