It was a crucial moment for the UST Golden Tigresses when super rookie Eya Laure went down with an ankle sprain early in the third set of their Game 2 matchup with Ateneo.
Laure valiantly came back on the court but, unfortunately, was nowhere as effective as she was before suffering the injury. This happens a lot in both professional and amateur sports where players, in their desire to play and contribute, suck up the pain and continue to play. After all, it’s just a sprain, right? But is it really fine to play on a sprained ankle?
What is a sprain?
According to Archie Aguirre, a medical doctor and professor at one of the country’s top med schools, a sprain happens when your ligaments, or the connective tissue between bones, get stretched beyond their limits and sustain damage. According to Dr. Aguirre, the severity of sprains can range from mild to severe depending on how much damage that particular ligament has suffered. Ligaments in your ankle, for example, are important because they help stabilize that joint and helps keep bones in their proper position. If an ankle sprain occurs, you can expect pain, swelling, bruising, and in extreme cases, results in the instability of the ankle.
What do you do when you get a sprain?
Most sprains are minor injuries that are mainly treated with the RICE method. First is you need to rest the affected area as much as possible to avoid aggravating the injury for 24 to 48 hours. Ice is then applied to help reduce pain and swelling. Ice packs should be applied on the injured area for around 15 minutes every few hours within two days of the injury occurring. The third step is to compress the sprained area, but not too tight as to constrict blood flow. Lastly, you need to elevate the injury to a level above your heart.
How can you prevent a sprain from happening?
Stretching is always recommended before and after you engage in any physical activity. Strengthening the muscles around joints also goes a long way in helping you avoid such an injury. You can also improve your balance by doing exercises like these:
Taping your ankles is an option especially if you have a history of ankle sprains, but it’s always better to strengthen your muscles before relying on athletic tape or braces for support. Just remember that sports like basketball and volleyball that require a lot of jumping will always put you at risk for ankle (and even knee) sprains no matter what you do.
So should you play with a sprained ankle?
It depends on the severity of the sprain but technically, you can. Dr. Aguirre warns us though about the risk of aggravating sprains. According to Dr. Aguirre, sprains can lead to the weakening of the affected ligament, making it prone to more sprains in the future. Repeated ankle sprains can then lead to long-term issues like arthritis or chronic pain. Eya Laure had the luxury of team doctors and physical therapists on hand to assess her situation before stepping back on the court. But if you’re playing in your barangay liga and happen to suffer a sprain, we recommend to sit out the rest of the game and check with a doctor ASAP before you get back on the court.