It should be stressed that it can be difficult to differentiate at times between a fracture of the ankle and a severe bruising. The ankle may seem mildly painful, with a hint of swelling but an X-ray shows the presence of an underlying fracture. Management Exclude a fracture. The limb should be elevated at rest as to allow gravity to reduce the swelling. This also helps in reducing the amount of discomfort.
Rest reduces the amount of stress on the injured ligaments and allows a more painless recovery.
Strapping of the ankle with crepe bandage or Tubi-grib, helps support the ankle, recudes the amount of swelling and discomfort. It is important that once the initial stages of pain have reduced to start mobilising the ankle as to prevent stiffness developing within the joint. In some situations the pain and discomfort is such that even though there is no evidence of a fracture, the ankle is immobilised for a couple of weeks in plaster. In these situations, the integrity of the ligaments should be assessed, as there may be an underlying complete rupture of the collateral ligaments. The above X-rays show a few types of ankle injuries which are sustainable if the necessary force and determination are applied.