What is a high ankle sprain?
A high ankle sprain is when you tear or damage the high ankle ligaments that connect the tibia to the fibula. These ligaments are known as syndesmosis, even though that word refers to the joint itself. You might hear your high ankle sprain called a syndesmotic injury.
Our ankles connect the leg bones to the foot bones. There is an upper ankle and a lower ankle. The upper ankle is the tibia and fibula. In between the upper ankle and lower ankle is the talus, which fits into the arch of the other two bones.
Ligaments are tissues made up of fibers (threads) that connect bones to other bones.
Advertisem*nt
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
What is the difference between a high ankle sprain and a low ankle sprain?
The differences between a high ankle sprain and a low ankle sprain aren’t just location. High ankle sprains involve turning inward or outward while your foot is flexed up. Most low ankle sprains happen when the ankle rolls inward, while other low ankle sprains happen when the ankle rolls outward. The low ankle sprains don’t involve the high ankle ligaments. Low ankle sprains are what most of us think of when we hear someone has a sprained ankle.
What ligaments are involved in a high ankle sprain?
The ligaments that can be damaged or torn in a high ankle sprain include:
- The anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament: This is found in front of the tibia and fibula.
- The posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament: This is found in back of the tibia and fibula.
- The interosseous membrane: This membrane stabilizes the tibia and fibula because it’s located in the middle space between the two bones.
Any of these ligaments can be stretched, torn partially or torn completely in a high ankle sprain.
How common is a high ankle sprain?
A high ankle sprain is less common than a low ankle sprain. High ankle sprains often happen in athletes who play:
- Football.
- Basketball.
- Wrestling.
- Ice hockey.
- Skiing.
- Soccer.
FAQs
How is a high ankle sprain treated? You can begin treating your ankle injury by following the R.I.C.E. advice: rest, ice, compression (bandaging) and elevation (keeping your foot up) for about three to five days. You might need to use crutches when you need to move.
How long do high ankle sprain take to heal? ›
A grade 1 sprained ankle can heal in about one to three weeks, but it can take several months for a grade 3 or high ankle sprain to fully recover.
What is the common cause high ankle sprain? ›
A high ankle sprain is caused by an external rotation and/or dorsiflexion (foot bending toward the shin) trauma to the ankle, usually resulting from a sudden twisting, turning or cutting motion while a person is running, jumping or falling.
Is it okay to walk on a high ankle sprain? ›
This stands for: Rest: Doctors recommend not walking or putting any weight on the ankle. Depending on the severity of the injury, doctors may suggest wearing an ankle brace to keep the bones stable and allow the ligaments to heal.
Should I go to the ER for a high ankle sprain? ›
Go to urgent care if your pain level and swelling is significant and you have difficulty walking, to the point that you need assistance, due to the pain. Go to the emergency room if your foot is bruised, deformed, or you are unable to walk at all. You may have a fracture, broken bone or serious ligament damage.
What is the squeeze test for a high ankle sprain? ›
Your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon may also perform two tests called the squeeze test and the external rotation test. The squeeze test is performed by squeezing the leg just below the knee to see if pain radiates to the ankle area, which would suggest a high ankle sprain.
How do I know if my high ankle sprain is bad? ›
Usually, the more pain and swelling, the more severe the ankle sprain and the longer it will take to heal. Surgery may be needed for a more severe injury.
Does a high ankle sprain need a boot? ›
In addition to football, high ankle sprains are common in soccer, basketball, ice skating, and trampolining. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are often enough to manage pain. We may also recommend crutches or an immobilizing boot to prevent further injury.
What are four signs an ankle sprain is bad? ›
Your doctor may be able to tell the severity of your ankle sprain based on the amount of swelling, pain, bruising, and stability. If you have difficulty bearing weight, or tenderness in the bones of the foot and ankle, you may need additional tests to rule out a fracture.
What happens if a high ankle sprain goes untreated? ›
An untreated strain may affect your ability to stand and walk later, and it can increase your risk for future strains. Untreated sprains can lead to a chronically unstable ankle joint. This condition increases your chances of developing conditions, such as: Degenerative changes in your ankle joint.
What Is a High Ankle Sprain?
- Grade 1 sprains: Ligaments are stretched but not torn.
- Grade 2 sprains: Ligaments are partially torn.
- Grade 3 sprains: Ligaments are completely torn.
“A high ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments between tibia and fibula become torn or stretched. This type of sprain is more of a rotational injury rather than a roll of the ankle. Unlike a low ankle sprain, a high ankle sprain is more significant of an injury. This type often takes about twice as long to heal.”
What is the fastest way to heal a high ankle sprain? ›
Self-care
- Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
- Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake. ...
- Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. ...
- Elevation.
Do ankle sprains heal on their own? Most sprains heal on their own, but rebuilding strength in your ankle can help prevent future injuries. If you don't allow your ankle ligaments time to heal, you may have long-lasting instability (chronic ankle sprains) or repeat ankle sprains.
How should you sleep with a high ankle sprain? ›
When sleeping with a sprained ankle, you need to stock up on a couple of extra pillows. The pillows help to elevate the foot and improve blood flow. Also, they help to separate the feet and help to drain fluids and swelling. The goal is to elevate your injured foot over your heart if possible.
Should you stretch a high ankle sprain? ›
After the initial pain and swelling from your ankle sprain have subsided (usually within 5-7 days) and you can tolerate weight on your foot, you can begin stretching exercises in stages. The goal of these exercises is to restore your ankle's range of motion.
How long should a high ankle sprain be immobilized? ›
A Guide To Conservative Treatment And Rehabilitation
Syndesmosis injuries requiring surgical intervention or grade III injuries will often require a six-week period of immobilization and non-weightbearing prior to rehabilitation.
