Ankle Ligament Injury (medial)
Patient Information
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Medial_ankle_ligament
GP Information
Background Information
- Usually respond best to conservative management
- Advise patients that ligaments may take longer to recover than fractures
- Patients typically present following trauma (ankle eversion) with pain distal to the medial malleolus
Investigation Guidelines
- Apply the Ottawa Ankle rules in order to determine of the patient requires an ankle XR
- An USS is indicated in the setting of instability and diagnostic uncertainty.
- An MRI may help to grade severity and look for associated injuries.
Management Recommendations
The majority of ankle ligament injuries may be treated non-operatively with home exercises or physiotherapy Initial management includes;
- Prescribe PRICE in acute injuries.
- Avoid HARM for 72 hours following injury.
- OTC ankle support.
- Avoid sporting activity until fully recovered.
- Physiotherapy referral after 6 weeks if symptoms have failed to settle
Referral Indications
- Diagnostic uncertainty
- Positive ottowa ankle criteria.
- Inability to bear weight.
- Need for physiotherapy
- Inability to perform ADLs after 6 weeks
- Results of diagnostics indicate specialist assessment required.