Sprained my ankle quite badly about a year ago playing 5-a-side. It's never quite been the same since, and I've had a few repeat sprains since then from what I would say are fairly minor knocks that probably wouldn't have hurt before the initial sprain.
Picked up another sprain last week from a dodgy landing, and reckon that it's about time I try and find someway to protect against it...
Looked into the compression socks online and they seem to have decent reviews. Has anyone ever used them, and are they any good? Not sure if they're meant to stop the sprain happening, or just help keep swelling down if it does occur?
Alternatively, does anyone have any tips or equipment they'd recommend to help prevent repeats? Wondering if there are any specific boots that have built in ankle protection...
Any advice much appreciated, ta.
Sprained Ankle
posted on 11/10/19
Wear*
posted on 11/10/19
Mueller Do a good range of ankle Braces. Support socks will do nothing. You need something that will stop the foot everting and inverting (moving side to side).
Alternatively you can strap your ankle. Type into youtube ankle sports strapping. It will teach you saddle and figure of 8 strapping (you will need underlay strapping). This is more effort but good for 11 a side. The brace is fine for 5 a side.
You need to improve the strength of your ankle ligaments. Again YouTube- how to rehab injured ankle. Will involve leg dips and single standing jumps etc. Hope that’s useful.
posted on 11/10/19
Plenty of rest (no running on it) and lots of ice on the ligament area.
Worked for me over a three month period.
posted on 11/10/19
When the pain next flares up again go to a physio and tell them where/when it hurts. Do the exercises they suggest to slowly build up the strength again. Slow process but after 3-6 months it should only feel stiff not sore after football from my experience.
posted on 11/10/19
Same for me in that I never really had an ankle injury until about 3 years ago when I sprained it for the first time and had about 3 or 4 since.
Hard to get rid of after that first one I’m afraid.
posted on 11/10/19
My ankle retired me from footie, sorry to say.
I turn my ligament on the right outside ankle, it was a bad one though, the bruising turned my whole foot purple.
Like you I now sprain it almost every time I play 5 a side. Had to accept my fate and do most of my fitness work in the gym.
posted on 11/10/19
You've got to go to the physio. I wasted a year messing about trying it get right after an ankle injury. In the end I went to a physio and it was sorted after 3 sessions. She gave it some right stick but it worked a treat.
posted on 12/10/19
Swimming.
posted on 12/10/19
Cheers for the advice, much appreciated.
Looks like it might be a case of building of the strength of the ankle and ligaments once the ankle's healed up a bit better (I quite like the idea of swimming and walking on uneven/sandy surfaces, seems to make sense).
Physio is also a realistic option if needed, but I might try the cheaper options first!
I've just received delivery of the (potentially useless) compression socks and booked myself into a 5aside game on Monday (...) so will see how that goes and then maybe have a break until it's stronger.
posted on 12/10/19
I did my ankle ligaments playing 11 a side.
Under the ankle bone went purple and blue, and the ankle bone swelled to the size of a golf ball.
It took 10 months for the pain to go away, although my ankle bone is still swollen today, scar tissue I'm told by the doc... I have no pain, no repeat injuries since. (This was two years ago) .
I wore ankle support the entire 10 months of 'recovery' every time I played football and even wore it when I was at work at my desk. Iced it for 15-20 minutes after every match and took ibuprofen. The usual RICE techniques, rest, Ice, compression, elevation.
Even though it's still swollen, I've no stiffness issues etc no pain.
That may change when I get older though