An Ankle Sprain of a Higher Level

The rolled ankle is a common injury in most sports.  Some will settle slowly over a few months, while some are insignificant enough to allow you to run and play the following day.  Most commonly people roll their ankle over injuring the outer side of the ankle at the front (especially the Anterior talofibular ligament).  However some athletes (such as one well-known red and black pivot currently) may have a "high" ankle sprain.  Since this kind of injury is rare, diagnosis may be delayed or missed.

This injury (to the Anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament) affects the connection between the two lower leg bones.  It is slow to heal, in part due to the shape of the ankle bone that the lower leg sits on top of.  (talus).  Because it is wedge shaped, (widening as you go from top to bottom), there is some pressure for it to separate during standing and walking. 

This injury is helped by supporting the ankle through a period of continued strapping, or by time in a moonboot (to reduce the pressure on the ligament, allowing it to heal).  In extreme cases, where the bones are separated too much, surgery may be required to fasten the lower leg bones together.  A period of rehabilitation would follow in both cases.