Guide To The Risk Factors For A Sprained Ankle

Previous Ankle Injury

A previous ankle injury increases an individual's risk of developing a sprained ankle for a few reasons. If the injury didn't heal right, they may have a restricted range of motion that causes problems with their ligaments. If the injury was another ankle sprain, individuals might find their ligament is tighter when it heals than it was before. They'll need to work up to their previous level of activity by doing gentle stretches and range-of-motion exercises. Overdoing exercise immediately after recovering from an injury makes individuals more likely to get injured. 

The other reason is because of ankle instability. If individuals have a prior history of ankle injuries, they're more likely to have an unstable ankle, which has a larger tendency to roll outward when individuals put their foot down, even if it's on a flat surface. Multiple ankle injuries can lead to chronic instability. There are ways to combat instability, such as wearing braces when exercising or playing sports. It's important to be aware of the increased risk of injury.