Ankle Injuries in Adolescents

Introduction

Adolescents are at an increased risk of ankle injury due to several factors related to their physical development, lifestyle, and participation in sports and physical activities.

Risk Factors

Understanding risk factors can help explain why adolescents are more prone to ankle injuries:

1. Growth spurts:

   Adolescents undergo rapid growth spurts during puberty, resulting in changes in their body proportions, muscle strength, and coordination. This period of rapid growth can lead to muscle imbalances, decreased flexibility, and altered biomechanics, making adolescents more susceptible to ankle injuries.

2. Physical activity:

   Adolescents are often highly active and participate in sports and physical activities that involve running, jumping, cutting, and pivoting movements. These activities put significant stress on the ankle joint and surrounding structures, increasing the risk of sprains, strains, and other injuries.

3. Lack of conditioning:

   Adolescents may lack proper conditioning and strength training, which are essential for maintaining joint stability and preventing injuries. Weakness in the muscles surrounding the ankle joint, such as the calf muscles and peroneals, can predispose adolescents to ankle instability and injury.

4. Poor technique:

   Poor movement mechanics and technique during sports and physical activities, increase the likelihood of injury. Improper landing mechanics, sudden direction changes, and inadequate warm-up or stretching routines can all contribute to ankle injuries. Mismatch of adolescent coordination to meet sporting demands, often disrupted by changes in joint proprioception occurring due to growth, also increases injury risk.

5. Footwear and playing surfaces:

   Inappropriate footwear and playing surfaces can also contribute to ankle injuries in adolescents. Wearing worn-out or ill-fitting shoes, or playing on uneven or slippery surfaces, can increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls, leading to ankle sprains and other injuries.

Management

It is important for adolescents to seek treatment and adequately rehabilitate ankle injuries with physiotherapy to ensure nil long-term problems and complications such as:

1. Chronic pain and instability:

   Without proper rehabilitation, ankle injuries may not heal fully, leading to chronic pain, instability, and recurrent sprains. Untreated ankle instability can significantly impact an adolescent's ability to participate in sports and physical activities and may increase the risk of future injuries.

2. Muscle weakness and imbalance:

   Inadequate rehabilitation can result in muscle weakness and imbalance around the ankle joint, contributing to decreased joint stability and increased risk of reinjury. Weakness in the muscles surrounding the ankle, such as the calf muscles and peroneals, can further compromise joint function and stability.

3. Reduced range of motion:

   Ankle injuries that are not properly rehabilitated may result in decreased range of motion and flexibility in the ankle joint. This can affect movement patterns and biomechanics, leading to compensatory strategies and increased stress on other joints and structures in the lower extremities.

4. Functional limitations:

   Unaddressed ankle injuries can lead to functional limitations and decreased performance in sports and physical activities. Adolescents may experience difficulty with activities such as running, jumping, cutting, and pivoting, which can affect their overall athletic performance and quality of life.

5. Psychological impact:

   Chronic ankle pain and instability can have a significant psychological impact on adolescents, leading to fear of re-injury, anxiety, and decreased confidence in their abilities. This can affect their willingness to participate in sports and physical activities and may lead to social withdrawal and decreased self-esteem.

Conclusion

In summary, adolescents are at an increased risk of ankle injury due to various factors related to their physical development and lifestyle. Not adequately rehabilitating ankle injuries with physiotherapy can lead to chronic pain, instability, muscle weakness, reduced range of motion, functional limitations, and psychological distress. Therefore, it is essential to address ankle injuries promptly and comprehensively with physiotherapy to optimise outcomes and prevent long-term complications in adolescents.