ANKLE SPRAINS IN RACKET SPORTS – EASY TO OVERLOOK, HARD TO RECOVER FROM

🏸 Racket sports such as pickleball, badminton, tennis, and ping-pong have become increasingly popular. However, they also come with a common yet often ignored risk: ankle sprains. A misstep, a poor landing, a slip during a change of direction, or a sudden jump can overstretch or injure the ligaments around the ankle. 

❗ The concerning part is that most players tend to be careless - self-managing pain relief and continuing to play. In reality, an ankle sprain that is not treated properly and promptly can lead to long-term consequences. To better understand this common but easily overlooked injury, join MSc, MD, Level I Specialist Nguyen Van Hoang Tam - Orthopedic Trauma & Sports Medicine in the article below. 

1️⃣ What is an ankle sprain? 

📊 Statistics show that ankle sprains are the most common injuries among racket-sport players. 

An ankle sprain (ankle rolling/inversion sprain) occurs when the ankle ligaments are stretched, overstretched, or torn due to sudden twisting or rolling - typically after impact or a fall during sports activities. Ankle sprains are commonly classified into three grades: I (mild), II (moderate), and III (severe). 

💥 People who roll their ankles often feel a sharp pain immediately after the injury, accompanied by swelling and bruising around the ankle. Some may even hear a loud “pop” - a sign of ligament rupture or have trouble walking or being unable to bear weight. 

📍 A frequent cause of ankle sprains is a court surface that is either too slippery or too sticky, which disrupts the normal friction between the shoes and the ground. This inconsistent traction significantly increases the risk of slipping and rolling the ankle. 

✅ Most ankle sprains can be treated conservatively with rehabilitation and physical therapy. Surgery is only indicated when the injury is too severe and significantly affects mobility. 

2️⃣ Complications if ankle sprains are not treated properly 

Without timely and proper treatment, ankle sprains may lead to: 

🔶 Chronic ankle instability 

This is the most common complication when an ankle sprain is not fully treated. 

Common symptoms include: 

▪️ The ankle easily buckles or gives way during direction changes 

▪️ Reduced confidence when jumping 

▪️ Hesitation in performing strong lateral movements 

Main causes: 

▪️ Lateral ligaments (especially ATFL and CFL) do not heal properly 

▪️ Insufficient strengthening of the muscles around the ankle 

▪️ Skipping proprioception training - balance and positional awareness 

Consequences: reduced performance and a 2–3x higher risk of recurrent sprains. 

🔶 Recurrent ankle sprain 

If rehabilitation is incomplete or if the player returns to the court too soon: 

▪️ Weak ligaments → prone to repeated injury 

▪️ Each recurrence increases ankle looseness 

▪️ Recovery time becomes longer after every episode 

Players in racket sports - with frequent side-steps and lunges are particularly vulnerable to this vicious cycle without proper adherence to treatment protocols. 

🔶 Osteochondral lesion of the talus 

Some sprains involve cartilage injury that goes undetected initially. 

Signs include: 

▪️ Persistent deep ankle pain 

▪️ Recurrent swelling 

▪️ Pain when twisting or bearing weight 

If left untreated, the condition may progress to early osteoarthritis. 

🔶 Chronic ankle pain 

Improper treatment may lead to scar tissue or chronic inflammation around the ankle, causing: 

▪️ Pain at the front of the ankle during dorsiflexion 

▪️ Pain on the lateral side when leaning 

▪️ Limited range of motion during movement or pivoting 

This explains why many athletes can walk normally but feel pain as soon as they step onto the court. 

🔶 Loss of strength and poor movement control 

Without proper rehabilitation:  

▪️ Weak peroneal muscles → poor control of external rotation 

▪️ Impaired balance → higher risk of injury during direction changes 

▪️ Reduced protective joint reflexes 

These significantly affect performance, as racket sports require constant changes in speed, direction, and force at the ankle. 

🔶 Restricted range of motion 

Without proper stretching and mobility training at the right phase:  

▪️ Reduced ankle dorsiflexion 

▪️ Limited flexibility during low lunges or split steps 

▪️ Compensation at the knee or hip → risk of secondary injuries 

🔶 Early ankle osteoarthritis 

Repeated sprains or improper management degrade joint surface quality and increase abnormal loading. 

Over time, players may experience: 

▪️ Chronic pain 

▪️ Persistent swelling after practice 

▪️ Reduced ability to play at high intensity 

Therefore, timely medical evaluation is crucial for determining injury severity and the right treatment plan. 

✅ To ensure accurate diagnosis, CarePlus integrates advanced medical equipment into the screening process, including MRI and CT scans powered by AI, providing faster scan times, crisp imaging quality, and a more comfortable experience for customers. 

👉 Don’t let a small injury turn into a long-term problem. If you or your loved ones have experienced an ankle sprain while playing sports, visit CarePlus for an orthopedic and sports medicine consultation to receive safe, effective recovery guidance. 

📞 Message our fanpage or contact our free hotline 18006116 to book your appointment today. 

CAREPLUS INTERNATIONAL CLINICS  

Associate of Singapore Medical Group