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Did a High Ankle Sprain Lose the Superbowl?

This morning, everyone is talking about Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs‘ shocking loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The superstar quarterback was denied his three-peat victory, and faced sack after sack. Could a high ankle sprain be the cause? Our Spring and Tomball, TX podiatrists are here to investigate. But first…

What is a high ankle sprain?

man holding sore ankle

Photo by benjamin lehman on Unsplash

If you suffer a high ankle sprain, that means you’ve injured the ligaments connecting your tibia and fibula bones. Also known as your syndesmotic ligaments, they’re located just above the ankle joint.

Back in Week 15 of the NFL, Mahomes suffered this exact injury, typically caused by forceful outward twisting. And, though he was cleared to play in the Superbowl last night, our doctors suspect his injury may have had something to do with his less than perfect performance. After all, a high ankle sprain is typically considered more severe than a regular sprain. And that’s because the ligaments involved in this injury are important for your mobility.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of a high ankle sprain include:

  • Pain when moving in ways that make you flex your ankle.
  • Pain in the lower front of your leg
  • Swelling
  • Bruising from your heels to your toes
  • Difficulty bearing weight
  • Ankle instability
  • Limited range of motion
  • Difficulty pointing your foot outward

Treatment and Prognosis

Professional athletes like Patrick Mahomes have to come back from injuries on a faster timeline than most people. So, if you have a high ankle sprain, what will treatment involve? And how long should you expect recovery to last?

Treating this injury involves rest, icing and heating, and elevating the affected ankle. As you begin to heal, physical therapy can help you regain strength and mobility. (Ask about our in-house athletic trainer in Spring, TX, who can help support recovery).

Depending on the severity of your injury, healing could take several weeks; more severe sprains could take months to heal. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. But in all cases, prompt diagnosis and treatment will support a faster recovery. So don’t miss out on your personal Superbowl: at the first sign of ankle pain, call our office or request an immediate appointment.