3 Ways to Tell the Difference Between a High vs. Low Ankle Sprain
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So, you sprained your ankle playing sports, or maybe it was from a simple stumble on uneven ground and now you’re in pain. It’s important to understand whether you have a high vs low ankle sprain so you can get the appropriate treatment, heal properly and prevent long-term problems.
In this article, we’ll examine how to tell the difference between a high vs low ankle sprain, consider what causes each kind of sprain, and explore how long it takes to heal from each of these ankle injuries.
At The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we’ve been providing expert orthopedic care and treatment of ankle injuries to Raleigh and Triangle area residents for decades. If you’ve experienced an ankle sprain, we invite you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.
How to Tell the Difference Between a High and Low Ankle Sprain
A sprained ankle involves damage to the ligaments, the tough fibrous bands of connective tissue that connects the bones. Ligaments in your ankle stabilize and support the ankle joint, help hold the bones together, and limit abnormal movement.
The main differences between high and low ankle sprains include the location of the sprain, the ligaments involved, how the injury occurs, and the recovery time. We’ll address each of these differences throughout the rest of this article.
Low Ankle Sprain
A low ankle sprain is the more common type of sprain. Also called an inversion injury, a low ankle sprain happens when the foot turns or rolls inward, causing the ligaments below the ankle joint on the outside of the ankle – the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular (CFL) ligament – to stretch or tear.
Symptoms of a low ankle sprain may include:
- Pain, swelling and bruising on the outer side of the ankle
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight on the injury
- Limited range of motion in the ankle joint
High Ankle Sprain
The less common high ankle sprain occurs when there is a forceful outward twisting of the foot. Also known as an eversion injury or a syndesmotic ankle sprain, a high ankle sprain involves injury or damage to the high ankle ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula, the two bones in the lower leg above the ankle joint.
Symptoms of a high ankle sprain can be similar to those of a low ankle sprain. The main difference is the higher location of the pain.
High ankle sprain symptoms may include:
- Pain and swelling higher up on the ankle, above the ankle joint
- Bruising in the lower leg
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight on the injury
- Limited range of motion in the ankle joint
What Causes a High vs a Low Ankle Sprain?
Low ankle sprains are usually caused by the ankle or foot rolling inward.
This may happen as a result of everyday activities like stepping off a curb incorrectly or walking on an uneven surface. Falls, tripping on the stairs, and certain sports activities that involve sudden stops or changes in direction can also cause low ankle sprains.
High ankle sprains are caused by a forceful twisting or outward rotation of the ankle, often when the foot is planted and the body rotates over it.
High ankle sprains are often the result of athletic activities that involve running, jumping, or quick changes in direction such as basketball, football, soccer, skiing, wrestling or ice hockey.
How Long Does It Take for a High vs Low Ankle Sprain to Heal?
A low ankle sprain will usually heal within a few weeks, while a high ankle sprain can take anywhere from 6 weeks to several months to heal.
Depending on the severity of the sprain, many high and low ankle sprains can heal on their own with conservative treatments such as:
- RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to reduce swelling and pain
- Immobilization via a boot or brace to restrict movement and allow ligaments to heal
- Physical therapy to strengthen the ankle, improve range of motion, and restore balance
In some cases, a severe high ankle sprain may require surgery.
If your ankle is broken rather than sprained, it can take 4 to 8 weeks for the fracture to heal. If you need surgery for a broken ankle, it may take up to several months to recover.
Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if you’re dealing with a broken ankle or a bad sprain. The only way to know for certain is to see your healthcare provider for an examination and an X-ray.
Types and Grades of Ankle Sprains
Types of Ankle Sprains
We’ve already briefly addressed the types of ankle sprains. As a reminder, those sprain types include:
- Inversion sprains, in which the ankle rolls inward and injures the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle
- Eversion sprains, in which the ankle rolls outward and injures the ligaments on the inner side of the ankle
- High ankle sprains, also referred to as syndesmosis sprains, in which ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula above the ankle joint are injured
Grades of Ankle Sprains
Sprains are classified into grades based on how severe the damage to the ligaments is. Treatment is based on the grade of your sprain.
Grades of ankle sprains include:
- Grade 1: This is a mild sprain that involves minor stretching or microscopic tearing of the ligament, minimal swelling and tenderness around the ankle, and usually no pain when putting weight on the affected area.
- Grade 2: This is a moderate sprain that involves partial tearing of the ligament, moderate swelling, bruising and tenderness around the ankle, slight ankle instability and mild pain when putting weight on the ankle.
- Grade 3: This is a severe sprain that involves a complete tear of the ligament, significant swelling, bruising and tenderness around the ankle, marked ankle instability and intense pain when putting weight on the ankle.
Are You Dealing with an Ankle Sprain or Injury? The Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic Provides Expert Orthopedic Care to Help You Recover
Whether they’re caused by regular everyday activities or participating in your favorite sport, ankle sprains are a common injury. Without proper treatment, untreated sprains can lead to long-term problems including ankle instability and increased risk of re-injury.
If you think you may have sprained your ankle, our expert team at The Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic can help. We’ll create a treatment plan that’s just right for you based on the severity and location of your sprain and your individual needs.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, we invite you to contact us today.
Key Takeaways
- Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur when ligaments in the ankle are stretched or torn.
- Ankle sprains are classified into Grade 1 (mild), Grade 2 (moderate), and Grade 3 (severe) based on ligament damage.
- The main types of ankle sprains are low ankle sprains, which are more common, and high ankle sprains.
- Low ankle sprains happen when the foot rolls inward and typically affect the ligaments below the ankle joint.
- High ankle sprains result from a forceful outward twist and involve ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula above the ankle joint.
- Symptoms of low ankle sprains include pain, swelling, and bruising on the outer side of the ankle.
- High ankle sprains usually cause pain and swelling higher up on the ankle, sometimes with bruising in the lower leg.
- Low ankle sprains can occur from simple movements like missteps, while high ankle sprains are more often sports-related.
- Recovery from a low ankle sprain typically takes a few weeks, while high ankle sprains may take 6 weeks to several months.
- Conservative treatments like RICE, immobilization, and physical therapy are often effective for both sprain types, though severe high ankle sprains may require surgery for full recovery.
- Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential to avoid long-term issues like instability or re-injury.
- The Raleigh Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic provides expert care for ankle sprains and other orthopaedic injuries.
The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.
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Sources:
Cleveland Clinic, “High Ankle Sprain,”
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22249-high-ankle-sprains/
OrthoInfo, the patient education website of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), “Sprained Ankle,”
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/sprained-ankle/
