[toc]An ankle sprain is usually caused by an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle, usually on the outside of the ankle. Ligaments are bands of tissue that resemble a rubber band and connect one bone to another and also bind the joints together.
Ankle sprains can be mild or severe depending upon the severity of the stretching and tearing of the ligaments that are involved. Ankle sprains are not the same as strains as strains affect muscles and not ligaments. There are various reasons responsible for ankle sprains. Let us know a few common reasons that result in an ankle sprain.
6 Causes Of Ankle Sprain
Twisting Of The Ankle
An inappropriate twisting of the ankle can result in result in stretching or slight tearing of the ligament, thus causing ankle sprain.
The ankle can get twisted due to improper way of walking or due to any accident. This may cause pain and difficulty in walking as well.
Injury
Ankle sprain can also be caused due to an injury which may be a result of an accident, a blow or a fall. The injury can lead to the ligament getting torn or stretched and it may even cause inflammation.
The ankle may be tender, swollen or stiff. A fall can force the joint of the ankle to move out of its normal position, thus, causing pain and discomfort.
Old Age
Ankle sprain is very commonly experienced by people in old age. With increasing age, the joints and ligaments become weak and so they become more prone to injury.
Thus, older people face difficulty in walking and walk around with a support such as walking sticks. As the joints of the ankle are weak, it is advisable for older people to walk carefully as even a minor injury can result in a sprain and they will face acute pain as well as difficulty in walking.
Walking And Running Continuously
Too much running and walking continuously can easily cause an ankle sprain. It is usually seen that athletes who walk and run a lot suffer from sprained ankles very often.
Even a minor twist and turn of the ankle can result in a sprain and as athletes are mostly required to be physically active all the time, they are more prone to such injuries.
Inappropriate Shoes
Ankle sprain can also be caused if you wear inappropriate shoes. It is a true fact that if you are wearing ill fitting shoes then you will face difficulty in walking. If you walk in a wobbly way then there are high chances that you can fall or experience a twist of the ankle, thus causing a sprain.
In many cases, it is seen that wearing high heel shoes causes a sprain in the ankle. Thus, it is advisable to wear proper footwear all the time to avoid the risk of ankle sprains and strains.
Weak Ankles
Many people are born with weak ankles which are a birth condition.
Such people stand at a high risk of getting their ankles sprained easily and frequently.
