The ankle joint is one of the more complicated fragments of the human skeletal system. No wonder that there are frequent injuries within it. They are definitely one of the most frequent reasons for visiting an orthopedist. What is the ankle structure and what injuries is it most likely to suffer from?
The ankle jointis the joint that connects the bones of the shin (tibia and fibula) and the feet (through the ankle bone). It consists of the upper ankle joint (ankle joint) and the lower ankle joint (ankle-calf joint).
The upper part of the ankle joint consists of the ends of the tibia, fibula and talus bone, which is the characteristic head located above the heel on its outer part. From the outside, the bones are covered with a strong membrane - the joint capsule - which secretes the slurry that facilitates the glide of the articular surfaces. The entire structure is reinforced with 4 types of strong ligaments: medial (also known as triangular), anterior talo-sagittal, posterior talo-sagittal and sagittal ligaments.
The lower ankle joint is divided into an anterior ankle joint, i.e. an ankle-calcaneus joint, and a posterior ankle joint, i.e. an ankle-heel joint. The anterior ankle joint is made of the convex articular surface of the talus and the navicular and calcaneus. It is strengthened with 3 ligaments: calcane-scaval, plantar-calcaneus and talo-navicular ligaments. The posterior ankle joint, in turn, is formed by the posterior calcaneus surface of the talus and the posterior calcaneus surface of the calcaneus. It is strengthened with 4 ligaments: posterior talocupus, anterior talo-calcaneal ligaments, medial talo-calcaneal ligaments, lateral talocuplicitic ligaments.
Ankle joint - sprain
Sprain of the ankle joint (ankle) is damage to the joint capsule and the joint ligaments that strengthen it. There are three degrees of twisting:
- strain of the ligaments (1st degree sprain) - a small hematoma and swelling are characteristic, as well as slight tenderness and pain in the ankle joint;
- torn ligaments (2nd degree sprain) - symptoms of ligament strain appear, only more severe;
- rupture of ligaments (3rd degree sprain) - breaking the continuity of the ligaments is manifested by high instability of the joint as well as severe pain and swelling in its vicinity;
In the case of slight sprains, dry compresses, ice packs, elastic bandages are used. In moderate and severe sprains - immobilization in a plaster dressing.
Ankle joint - dislocation
An ankle sprain is an abnormal displacement of the bones and other surfaces that make up the ankle joint. It is accompanied by rupture of the joint capsule and joint ligaments. Displaced bone elements do not automatically recover, so it is a more serious injury.
Dislocated components require quick set-up. Otherwise, pathological changes may occur, which in the future may not only hinder attitude, but may also worsen the function of the joint.
Ankle joint - fracture
In the area of the ankle joint, the most common fracture of the shin bone, which, together with the fibula, connects the knee to the ankle. There may be a fracture of one ankle, most often the lateral one, a fracture of both ankles (lateral and medial) and a triangular fracture, where, in addition to both ankles, the fracture covers the posterior edge of the tibia.
In the case of a closed fracture, pain in the ankle joint, joint swelling, bruising and limited joint mobility appear. A fracture always requires the intervention of a surgeon who will assemble the bone and immobilize it with a plaster cast, screws or a metal plate. In the case of a displaced fracture, an operation is required - opening the joint.