Definition Strain band elongation
Band stretching means one or more bands that have been stretched beyond the pyhsiological measure hianus. This is accompanied by pain and functional impairment of the ankle joint.
Causes
Causes for ligament stretching at the ankle are usually overstrained physiological movements (e.g. excessive straddling of the foot etc). Very often, sports such as football, handball or basketball, in which speed is of the essence, as well as duels between two players, lead to ligament stretching. Ligament stretching is to be seen as a preliminary stage of ligament rupture.
If either the triggering movement is not so extreme, the ligament is “only” stretched. Furthermore, the sudden pain of the ligament stretching can lead to an interruption of the unphysiological movement. Car accidents and high speed trauma lead in most cases to torn ligaments, while leisure injuries mostly cause ligament stretching.
When the ligaments are stretched, one or more ligaments in the ankle are overstrained. Up to a certain degree, the ligaments adapt to the pulling movement and can also slip back into their original position when the pulling movement subsides. If the maximum point is exceeded, a so-called ligament stretching occurs.
The band is so strained that it initially remains in its stretched position and does not immediately slide back to its original position. If the strap is stretched further, it will tear or tear through. Torn ligament also occurs.
Strain or tearing of the ligament is in most cases caused by a combined movement. When physiological movements of the ankle are overstrained on the one hand, and on the other hand when these movements are performed quickly and jerkily. If weights are also involved in the movement, the risk of ligament stretching increases accordingly.
On a sitting, resting person, bending the foot can have no effect on ligaments and bones, although the movement is also unphysiological. The same movement during a duel in football with possibly still turning movements and in connection with the total body weight, but in many cases leads to injuries of the bones and the ligamentous apparatus. The symptoms of ligament stretching are moderate to severe pain in almost all cases.
Depending on the cause of the ligament stretching, the pain is stronger or weaker. Ankle pain is described as pulling or travelling from the ankle and pulling into the foot and lower leg. Contrary to what is assumed, it cannot necessarily be said that ligament stretching is milder in character and intensity than torn ligaments, with more pressure and usually a higher speed underlying a torn ligament.
However, ligament stretching can also trigger very strong and long-lasting pain. Accompanying the pain that occurs immediately after the accident, there is almost always swelling in the area of the ligament. The swellings can become massive and can also lead to movement restrictions in the area of the joint.
In some cases, in addition to the stretching of the ligament, the blood vessels accompanying the ligaments are also torn, resulting in minor or major bleeding. These can manifest themselves in the form of haematomas on the ankle, some of which are extensive. The overall constellation of pain, swelling and haematoma almost always leads to impaired movement in the ankle joint.
Patients with straight ligament stretching usually fall into a relieving position and keep the leg and lower leg still to prevent further pain. Ligament stretching at the ankle, e.g. due to buckling, is initially noticeable as pain in the area of the ankle joint. The pain becomes stronger during movement and when the joint is strained.
There is also a swelling of the joint, this can be seen around the ankle and can be more or less pronounced. Due to the pain, the strength development in the ankle joint is reduced and the extent of the movements is also decreased. Standing and walking are possible, but are associated with pain.
In contrast to the symptoms of a torn ligament, however, the pain and swelling are much less pronounced. A bruise (haematoma) does not usually occur when the ligament is stretched at the ankle. This is because when the ligaments are stretched, the ligaments are only stretched and the surrounding tissue is not damaged.
Bleeding does not occur here, or only with additional small tears. In contrast, this tissue is also damaged when the ligament is torn and bleeding into the surrounding tissue occurs. This is then externally visible as bruising and leads to additional swelling of the joint.
Swelling is one of the first symptoms of ligament stretching. This occurs when the ligament is stretched at the ankle in the area of the ankle joint. Compared to a torn ligament, however, the swelling is less pronounced. This is due, among other things, to the bruise that forms when the ligament is torn, but is usually absent when the ligament is stretched.