Overview
Secondary osteoarthritis of the left ankle is a degenerative joint disease that develops as a consequence of a previous injury, such as an ankle sprain. It involves the progressive breakdown of cartilage in the ankle joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.Diagnosis
Severity of ligament damage in ankle sprains can be assessed most reliably by delayed physical examination (4-5 days post trauma) 1.Management
For acute lateral ankle ligament rupture, a short period of immobilization may help relieve pain and swelling 1.
Patients with acute lateral ankle ligament rupture benefit most from the use of tape or a brace in combination with an exercise program 1.Key Recommendations
For acute lateral ankle ligament rupture, the combination of tape or a brace with an exercise program is recommended for optimal patient benefit 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Delayed physical examination (4-5 days post trauma) is the most reliable method for assessing the severity of ligament damage in ankle sprains 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
While short-term immobilization may offer pain and swelling relief for acute lateral ankle ligament ruptures, it is not the primary recommended treatment for optimal recovery 1. (Evidence: Moderate)References
1 Vuurberg G, Hoorntje A, Wink LM, van der Doelen BFW, van den Bekerom MP, Dekker R et al.. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline. British journal of sports medicine 2018. link