Bio Mechanics of Inversion Ankle Sprain

An inversion ankle sprain is a common injury among general people and athletes. Understanding the biomechanics of an ankle inversion sprain is essential to treat it properly.

The ankle joint comprises three bones: the tibia, fibula, and talus.  The calcaneofibular and anterior talofibular ligaments are the most commonly injured during an inversion sprain. Still, other components of the ankle and foot that get damaged are the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, soleus, gastrocnemius muscle, and anterior tibialis muscle.

Peroneus Longus and Brevis

The peroneus longus and brevis muscles, are located outside the lower leg and are responsible for plantar flexion and eversion of the foot. These muscles work together to help stabilize the ankle during weight-bearing activities such as walking and running. They also help prevent the ankle from rolling inward.

Gastrocnemius and Soleus

The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles comprise the calf muscles and are responsible for plantar flexion of the foot. Both these muscles are the primary muscles involved in an inversion ankle sprain. The gastrocnemius muscle is located just above the soleus and is responsible for plantar flexion, which is the foot movement away from the shin. The soleus muscle is located in the calf and provides stability to the ankle joint.

These muscles play a critical role in ankle stability during weight-bearing activities such as running and jumping. They also help absorb shock when landing from a jump or running on hard surfaces.

In an inversion ankle sprain, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles can become strained or torn as the foot rolls inward, causing the ankle to twist. Breaking down the lactic acid and strengthening exercises for the calf muscles can help prevent future injuries and speed up recovery.

Tibialis Anterior

The anterior tibialis muscle is located on the front of the lower leg and is responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot, which means lifting the foot upwards towards the shin. Like the peroneus muscles, it plays a critical role in ankle stability during weight-bearing activities such as walking and running.  During an inversion ankle sprain, the anterior tibialis muscle can become strained or torn as the foot rolls inward.

Conclusion

An inversion ankle sprain can be a painful and limiting injury, but understanding the muscles involved can help with prevention and recovery. Most people can recover fully from an inversion ankle sprain and return to daily activities with proper care and rehabilitation. If you experience an inversion ankle sprain, consult your chiropractor about developing an effective chiropractic and deep soft tissue therapy treatment plan.