Increasing Spring Outings in Warm Weather... Watch Out for Ankle Health

The canola flowers in full bloom along Oncheoncheon Stream in Dongnae-gu, Busan are attracting the attention of citizens out for an outing.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the weather warms up and news of blooming flowers comes from various places, more people are going out for outings. However, if physical activity suddenly increases after being inactive during the winter, the ligaments in the ankle can be easily injured.

Especially when visiting mountains or tourist spots, spraining or twisting the ankle can cause an ankle sprain. Walking on uneven surfaces can easily cause the ankle to bend inward, and since the ligaments supporting the outer ankle are relatively weak, lateral ligament injuries commonly occur. After injury, symptoms such as swelling and bruising on the outer part of the ankle appear. Occasionally, bleeding may also occur.

Ankle sprains are classified into three stages depending on the severity of symptoms, and treatment methods vary accordingly. If appropriate initial care is not taken, the damaged ligaments may not heal properly and can progress to chronic ankle sprain, so caution is necessary.

A grade 1 ankle ligament sprain involves slight stretching of the ligament with mild pain but walking is still possible. It can be easily recovered with rest, cold compresses, and wearing a brace. Grade 2 sprains involve partial tearing of the ankle ligament. Conservative treatments such as wearing a brace, medication, and injections can lead to recovery. The most severe grade 3 sprain involves complete ligament rupture, making walking difficult. In such cases, examination by an orthopedic specialist and imaging tests like ultrasound or MRI are needed, and surgery to suture or reconstruct the torn ligament may be required depending on the extent of the injury.

Since ankle ligaments have the ability to heal naturally even after injury, initially applying the ‘PRICE principle,’ which is the basic approach to injury management, is effective. This treatment method involves protecting the ankle with a cast or similar device (Protection), sufficient rest (Rest), ice application to relieve pain (Ice), immobilization and compression using bandages (Compression), and elevating the ankle above heart level while lying down to reduce swelling (Elevation).

To prevent ankle sprains or ligament ruptures, it is helpful to perform sufficient stretching and warm-up before exercise, as well as lower body strengthening exercises including strengthening the peroneal tendons on the outer side of the calf.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.