What is the prevalence of ankle sprains?

Answer

Most ankle sprains are probably self-treated and are never reported to a health care provider; therefore, many ankle sprains are not documented. Sprained ankles have been estimated to constitute up to 30% of injuries seen in sports medicine clinics and are the most frequently seen musculoskeletal injury seen by primary care providers.^[19]More than 23,000 people per day in the United States, including athletes and nonathletes, require medical care for ankle sprains. Stated another way, incident cases have been estimated at 1 case per 10,000 persons per day.^[20]A U.S. Army study found that ankle sprains are the most common foot and ankle injury in active-duty Army personal with a rate of 103 sprains per 1000 persons per year.^[21]

Female athletes are 25% more likely to sustain ankle injuries than male athletes. Female basketball players are at a higher risk of a first-time inversion injury than those participating in other sports.^[22]Soccer and volleyball are other leading causes of ankle sprains in high school and college female athletes.^{[23, 24]}Some studies attribute a higher incidence of ankle injuries in high school football, basketball, and soccer players.^{[23, 25, 26]}Other studies conclude that in college men, the risk of suffering an ankle sprain appears to be similar with basketball, soccer, and football.^[22]

A cohort study analyzed risk factors in ankle injuries from the Cadet Illness and Injury Tracking System (CIITS) database at the United States Military Academy (USMA) from 2005-2009. The results found higher risk of syndesmotic ankle sprains in males who performed at a higher level of athletic competition; male athletes were 3 times more likely to experience medial ankle sprains than female athletes.^[15]

Ankle injuries are very common, with ankle sprain being the most common injury. Most individuals have complete recovery; however, a substantial number have chronic problems that usually lead to modification of physical activity.^[27]

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Media Gallery

Anterior drawer test.
Talar tilt test.
Tilt board.
strengthening using an elastic band.
Ankle brace
Example of a lace-up ankle support. Courtesy of Swede-O, Inc.
Example of a brace for immobilization or functional purposes. Courtesy of Swede-O, Inc.
Example of a brace that can be used for functional purposes. Courtesy of Swede-O, Inc.
Example of a brace secured with Velcro straps. Courtesy of Swede-O, Inc.
Example of a lace-up ankle support brace with figure-8 straps. Courtesy of Swede-O, Inc.

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Author

Craig C Young, MD Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin

Craig C Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Sherwin SW Ho, MD Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences, The Pritzker School of Medicine

Sherwin SW Ho, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Herodicus Society, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Received consulting fee from Biomet, Inc. for speaking and teaching; Received grant/research funds from Smith and Nephew for fellowship funding; Received grant/research funds from DJ Ortho for course funding; Received grant/research funds from Athletico Physical Therapy for course, research funding; Received royalty from Biomet, Inc. for consulting.

Acknowledgements

Michael T Andary, MD, MS Professor, Residency Program Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching

David T Bernhardt, MD Director of Adolescent and Sports Medicine Fellowship, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics/Ortho and Rehab, Division of Sports Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

David T Bernhardt, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine