A sprain involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments. A medial ankle sprain is an uncommon type of sprain involving any of the ligaments on the medial aspect of the ankle, typically the deltoid ligament. Ankle sprains are graded based on their severity, with a Grade 1 sprain being the most mild and a Grade 3 sprain being the most severe.

Medial Sprain Description
Scroll to the bottom of the page for information specifically on medial sprains.

Sprained Ankle Overview
This link offers a good overview of all types of sprained ankles. For more information on symptoms, treatment and recovery, click next or the links along the top of the page.

• Pain—increases with activity


• Tenderness


• Swelling in the injured area


• Limp/Difficulty Walking


• Joint Instability


• Limited range of motion

Test Results

• Normal X-ray-use to rule out a fracture


• Abnormal MRI

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Most commonly a low grade injury can be treated using the RICE Method.

Treatment Overview - arthroscopy.com
This comprehensive overivew includes diagrams and x-ray images.

Rehabilitation Overview
To reduce instances of chronic ankle instability, patients should have some rehabilitation after the injury heals. Click on this link for information about rebuilding strength in a previously injured ankle.

Treatment Overview - dentalplans.com
This link explains how treatment should progress after the injury. It also provides some good information about how various treatments help the injury.  Pay special attention to the role of ice, as the information here will help you understand how to treat other instances of swelling. Scroll down to the “Ligaments” heading to review the information.

A Patient’s Guide to Ankle Anatomy
Complete with excellent diagrams, this link will help you understand how the anatomy of the ankle, including various parts (bones, joints, muscles, tendons, etc) and how they work together.

Diagram: Ankle Anatomy
This link offers a diagram of Muscular and Skeletal Anatomy of Ankle and Foot (Anterior View).

Interactive Anatomy of the Ankle
This link provides an interactive look at the bones and muscles in the ankle.

How you feel pain
This link describes the types of pain, how we feel pain and how pain may manifest itself.

Why do I have pain?
Written for kids, this site gives a good, but simple overview on pain and how experiencing pain can actually help our bodies.

RICE Method
Acute sports injuries are often treated with the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Click here for an overview of this treatment plan.