Key Points:
• High ankle sprains happen with body rotation, such as being tackled with the foot planted at the same time as changing direction
• Most mild and moderate-high ankle sprains are treated without surgery
• Expect a return to play to take longer than common ankle sprains- typically 6 to 12 weeks for young athletes, depending on the sport
We’ve recently written about the usefulness of ankle bracing in reducing the risk of common ankle sprains with basketball. But there is a different type of ankle sprain, commonly called a “high ankle sprain” that behaves differently. What is the difference between a common ankle sprain and a high ankle sprain? And why do athletes with a high ankle sprain seem to be out for a longer period of time? The explanations center on the anatomy of the ankle and the different ligaments injured in a common vs. high ankle sprain.
The common ankle sprain involves injury to a ligament on the outside of the ankle called the “ATFL”, which stands for the anterior talofibular ligament. This ligament runs between the end of the fibula to the talus on the outside of the ankle. It is one of the primary stabilizers of the ankle and is frequently injured when an athlete “rolls” the ankle. Athletes frequently will have pain, swelling, and even bruising in more severe sprains. These symptoms can be experienced on the outside of the foot, just below the ankle joint.
In the high ankle sprain, however, a different ligament is injured, called the “syndesmosis”. The syndesmosis is a tough sheet of tissue that lies between the tibia and fibula and holds these two bones together. In normal walking and running the syndesmosis is preventing the tibia and fibula from being pulled apart. The high ankle sprain typically occurs with rotation of the body around the planted foot, such as with a player being tackled at the same time he is making a cut or direction change. This is very different from the rolling that results in a common ankle sprain.
The high ankle sprain can be mild, moderate, or severe, similar in grade to the common ankle sprain. Severe high ankle sprains will cause a widening of the space between the tibia and fibula. The severe high ankle sprain will usually need surgery to repair the proper space between the bones. Most mild high ankle sprains can be treated without surgery. We will typically place the leg in a boot with some weight support with crutches. As healing progresses the boot and crutches are stopped, and physical therapy is started.
Return to play after high ankle sprains almost always takes longer than return after a common ankle sprain. The reasons for this are not known. With adolescent athletes, I find that return to full sports participation will take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the sport and the position. Physical therapy is very helpful to help the athlete regain strength, agility, power, and confidence. I send all my young athletes to physical therapy after high ankle sprains. The good news about these injuries is that they tend to be “one and done” events and tend not to happen over and over. If they are treated correctly, keep your spirits up, you’ll almost always get back to normal activity but just expect it to take a bit of time.
Did you enjoy the article “High Ankle Sprain” vs. The Common Ankle Sprain – What’s The Difference?’ If so, check out, more of our articles HERE.
By Dev K. Mishra, M.D.
President, Sideline Sports Doc
Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University
