The Lakers will have to play without Lonzo Ball for awhile. In their game against the Rockets Saturday night, Lonzo Ball suffered an injury to his left ankle. The MRI showed he had a grade 3 ankle sprain which will put him out from playing for 4-6 weeks while he gets treatment and heals. Ankle sprains are caused by an unnatural twisting or force on the ankle bones of the foot , which may result in excessive stretching or tearing of one or more ligaments on the outside of the ankle. The severity of the sprain can impact the degree of damage as well as the type and duration of treatment.
Sprained Ankle Symptoms- Primary symptoms of ankle sprains are pain following a twist or injury, swelling, and bruising.
Treatment for Sprains- Treatment includes resting and elevating the ankle and applying ice to reduce swelling. Compressive bandages also may be used to immobilize and support the injury during healing. Serious ankle sprains , particularly among competitive athletes, may require surgery to repair and tighten the damaged ligaments. If not properly treated, ankle sprains may develop into long-term problems like chronic ankle instability.
Chronic ankle instability often develops after repeated ankle sprains. Usually, issues can occur while walking or doing other activities, but it can also happen when you’re just standing. Many athletes, as well as others, suffer from chronic ankle instability.
People with chronic ankle instability often complain of:
- A repeated turning of the ankle, especially on uneven surfaces or when participating in sports
- Chronic swelling
- Ankle Pain or tenderness
- The ankle feeling wobbly or unstable
Causes of Chronic Ankle Instability- When you sprain your ankle, the connective tissues (ligaments) are stretched or torn. Chronic ankle instability usually develops following an ankle sprain that has not adequately healed or was not rehabilitated completely. When an ankle is injured, it may take a few weeks to many months to fully heal. Often, the injured ankle remains weaker and less stable than the uninjured one. Proper rehabilitation is needed to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and retrain the tissues within the ankle that affect balance. Failure to do so may result in repeated ankle sprains and/or chronic ankle instability.
Treatment for Chronic Ankle Instability
- Physical therapy. Physical therapy includes exercises to strengthen the ankle, improve balance and range of motion, and retrain your muscles.
- Bracing. Some patients wear an ankle brace for extra support for the ankle. Bracing also helps prevent additional ankle sprains.
- Medications. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen may be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Surgery. Your foot and ankle surgeon may recommend surgery based on the degree of instability or lack of response to nonsurgical approaches. Surgery usually involves repair or reconstruction of the damaged ligament(s).
Prevention- To prevent ankle sprains, try to maintain strength, balance, and flexibility in the foot and ankle through exercising, stretching, and wearing well-fitted shoes. Preventing ankle sprains can help prevent chronic ankle instability.
If you think you may have a sprained ankle or chronic ankle instability, contact Dr. Kylin Kovac for an appointment. Dr. Kovac offers a treatment called MLS Laser Therapy . This therapy is pain free and can be used to treat many different conditions including arthritis, injuries , and chronic pain . MLS Laser Therapy is about healing. It’s not about masking or covering up a condition. When you feel better from this therapy… it’s because you are better. Therefore results have been found to be quite long lasting. Dr. Kylin Kovac has dedicated his life to helping people with foot and ankle pain. He is highly qualified and ready to get you back on your feet!
Some content provided by NBA.com and The ACFAS.
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