From low to high: management of ankle instability in lacrosse players

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Acute ankle sprains are one of the most common lower extremity injuries sustained by athletes and it is particularly common in sports such as lacrosse. The majority of ankle sprains affect the lateral ligaments; however, injuries can also occur to the medial ankle and the syndesmosis ligaments, commonly referred to as high ankle sprains. Objectives: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the management of ankle injuries in lacrosse players. Methods: Review of current literature was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Ovid. All published English articles related to ankle injuries in athletes, in particular soccer players, were selected. Results: Despite its high prevalence, a significant proportion of athletes experience residual symptoms and recurrence of injury, prolonging their ability to safely return to sport. Depending on the severity of injury, management often includes rehabilitation with conservative modalities, such as rest, ice, compression, elevation therapy, and adjunctive treatments like bracing, immobilization, and foot orthotics. Severe or refractory cases may warrant operative intervention. There remains significant emphasis on the importance of the rehabilitation process, regardless of whether conservative or surgical management is pursued. Conclusions: The decision to return to sport can be challenging and should involve a multidisciplinary approach, with the knowledge that there is a high rate of residual symptoms and injury recurrence.

Keywords

• Ankle sprain
• Lacrosse
• Rehabilitation
• Syndesmosis