Injuries are common in the rough contact sport of football, and sprained ankles are one of the common injuries in the game. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS, ankle sprains occur when the foot twists, rolls or turns beyond its normal motion and this can occur often when your foot lands awkwardly. In the constant starting and stopping of football, landings happen fast and frequently so ankle sprains can happen just as quickly.
Football Players At Risk
The AAOS says that sprained ankles occur when ankle ligaments stretch beyond their normal range of motion and end up in abnormal positions. Football players get more opportunities for ankle sprains because of the contact nature of the sport. The AAOS notes that landing unevenly can lead to a sprained ankle and football players again have more opportunities to land awkwardly than other athletes. Football players are closer and have more physical contact with other players and there are more players on the field. In addition, football players often get hit when they are not ready or expecting it which can lead to awkward, unprepared landings of the feet.
Ankle Sprain Grades
Ankle sprains receive grades from doctors to gauge how bad the injury is. These grades are known as Grades 1, 2 and 3, with Grade 3 injuries being the most severe. According to Dr. Chris Chiodo, Grade 1 sprains are mild and allow the athlete to bear weight. Chiodo says Grade 2 sprains are more moderate, more painful and often do not allow the player to put weight on the injury. Grade 3 sprains are the most severe and involve a complete tear of the ligament, according to Chiodo. The higher the grade, the longer it takes a player to recover and be able to compete again.
Lateral and Medial Sprains
According to the Sports Injury Clinic, the most common type of ankle sprain is a lateral or inversion sprain, which occurs when the ankle turns over so that the foot faces inward and ligaments are damaged on the outside of the ankle. If the ankle rolls the other direction so that the foot faces outward, it is known as a medial sprain. According to the Sports Injury Clinic, medial sprains are rare and often occur with fractures in the ankle.
High Ankle Sprains
High ankle sprains are quite common in football and usually are more severe than standard sprains. High ankle sprains are technically a type of medial sprain, and Chiodo notes that they are most often caused by external rotations. Chiodo says that high ankle sprains can take up to twice as long to heal and should be treated with surgery in severe cases or by using a cast or walking boot in less severe cases. Chiodo notes that high ankle sprains can cause a widening or separation of the tibia and fibula in the lower leg. This injury can call for surgery to allow torn ligaments to heal and strengthen.
Artificial Field Surfaces and Ankle Spains
According to Dr. Mark Drakos of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, players get ankle sprains more often when playing on artificial turf fields. In the past 10 years, advancements have been made in the production of turf fields which are now made softer and designed to mimic natural grass. However, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, lower-extremity injuries were 27 percent higher on artificial surfaces in professional games from 2002 to 2008. Further, the AAOS noted that during that period, medial sprains were 48 percent more likely on turf fields compared to natural grass.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Sprained Ankle
- Chris Chiodo, MD: Grading Ankle Sprains
- Sports Injury Clinic: Sprained Ankle
- Hospital for Special Surgery; Artificial Turf: Does it Increase the Risk of Sports Injuries; Dr. Mark Drakos; 2008
- Safety Health Plus: Research Links Artificial Turf to increased lower-extremity injuries
