Bangkok offers a wide range of sports, from golf to softball, soccer, futsal, tennis, badminton, horse riding, basketball, volleyball, yoga, Pilates, and more. Unfortunately, many of these sports can lead to ankle sprains.
At Pain Away, we first listen to the patient’s story and then doctors and therapists create a personalized treatment plan. We begin by examining the ankle with the following tests:
Anterior Drawer Test:
In this test, we stabilize the Achilles tendon and calcaneus while pulling the foot forward and backward. If the anterior talofibular ligament or calcaneofibular ligament shows looseness, it indicates instability.
Inversion Stress Test:
We stabilize the anterior tibia and calcaneus to induce inversion. Looseness in the anterior talofibular or calcaneofibular ligaments also indicates instability.
Ankle injuries are classified into four stages:
1. 1st-degree injury: Pain occurs only during exercise.
2. 2nd-degree injury: Partial injury to the lateral ligament, moderate pain, swelling, skin discoloration, reduced function, and instability confirmed by stress tests.
3. 3rd-degree injury: Complete rupture of the lateral ligament, swelling over 4cm around the fibula, discoloration, significantly reduced function and range of motion, and clear instability.
RICE Treatment
After an ankle injury, the RICE method is applied immediately:
– R: Rest – Immobilize the area to prevent further movement. At Pain Away, we use tape to immobilize the ankle.
– I: Ice – Cooling the injury helps prevent swelling. Cold compresses are often insufficient, so ice packs or cold packs are more effective.
– C: Compression – Apply pressure with bandages to prevent swelling, but be cautious not to tighten them too much, as this can reduce blood flow. At Pain Away, tape is also used to stabilize the area.
– E: Elevation – Elevate the injured leg to reduce swelling.
If the ligament is completely torn, a longer period of rest is necessary.
Advanced Treatment Options
At Pain Away, we treat even early-stage sprains with the following methods:
1. Ultrasound Therapy: Low-intensity ultrasound is applied to the affected area to accelerate tissue healing. It can also speed up the recovery of fractures.
2. Micro Current Therapy: By passing a weak electric current similar to the natural electrical signals in the body, we promote faster tissue repair.
3. High-Voltage Therapy: This method is highly effective in reducing pain.
4. Laser Therapy: Safe and effective even for children, laser treatment reduces pain and promotes healing.
