Ankle sprains are considered as the most common injuries affecting the joint. This injury involves one or several ligaments adjacent the ankle joints. Injury to the ligament can range from minor, moderate or severe.
The ankle sprains typically resolve but if incorrectly treated or there is significant injury or early return to activity, complications can develop such as lasting swelling, prolonged pain, instability, swelling and nerve dysfunction.
Persistent swelling
If there is lingering swelling of the ankle, it is triggered by various conditions usually from unhealed ligaments that are torn or bone contusion that leads to compression amidst the joints of the ankle or damaged and impinged blood vessels.
Chronic cases of swelling are oftentimes triggered by synovitis which involves inflammation of the interior lining of the ankle joint capsule. The continuous swelling of the ankle can be accompanied by low-grade pain but can oftentimes occur without any pain.
Extended pain
Chronic or extended pain is the usual complication of ankle sprains. Even in severe cases of sprains, they should heal and free from pain after 8 weeks. If pain persists, there is a possibility of an undiagnosed fracture, ruptured tendon or cartilage tear.
Prolonged pain without evident inflammation develops mainly with injuries to the nerve. The chronic pain can affect normal walking which eventually affects the joints of the lower back, hips and the knees.
Rigidity
Rigidity or stiffness is also a complication of an ankle sprain and typically develop as an outcome of extensive swelling or inflammation. The stiffness of the ankle is typically accompanied by achiness and results to diminished range of motion especially during dorsiflexion.
After a span of several months, the diminished range of motion and dysfunction of the joint can lead to the development of osteoarthritis which is evident by the presence of bone spurs and reduced space on the joints on the X-ray results.
Instability
Instability of the ankle develops once a sprained ligament heals in an extended position as opposed to its normal anatomical position. This causes the ankle to become hypermobile and move in unusual ways.
The instability produces a sense that the ankle is about to “give away” and might be accompanied by continuous low-grade pain and swelling. The ankle instability typically involves persistent weakening of the joints and drastically increases the risk of future ankle sprains.
Nerve dysfunction
Injuries to the nerves can develop with either evident twisting of the ankle sprain and/or severe swelling of the ankle which places pressure on the cutaneous nerves adjacent the joint.
The symptoms of nerve dysfunction due to ankle sprains include shooting pain, burning sensation, muscle weakness and numbness which are worsened by walking. The weakness of the muscle often leads to re-injury due to diminished coordination. Erratic proprioception might also occur which affects balance and stability of the ankle and foot.