Ankle sprains are all too common among athletes, and many people experience them at some point in their lives. They are the most common triggers of ankle pain, but there are others, including fractures, tendonitis, gout, and arthritis. Each type of injury and ankle problem has its own mechanism of disease and prevention.
Sprains occur when the ligaments that support the ankle are overstretched. They can also be torn or inflamed. Fractures are usually due to high-energy trauma in the lower leg or the foot. Arthritis and gout are inflammatory conditions due to a systemic problem with uric acid and the individual’s immune system, respectively. However, most triggers of ankle pain have to do with structural issues and injuries. The athlete population is particularly susceptible to these problems and is considered the population at risk. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent ankle sprains and other injuries, and in this article, I’ll give you some tips on doing just that.