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WILL A SPRAINED ANKLE BECOME ARTHRITIC?

I sprained my ankle last summer, and after a few months, it seemed to return to normal. Is there a risk of developing arthritis in this ankle later?

The risk of developing arthritis in an ankle depends on the severity of the sprain and the effectiveness of its treatment. A grade II sprain involves partial tearing of a ligament and usually results in bruising, pain, and swelling, with some difficulty bearing weight and a temporary loss of function.

A grade III sprain is more severe, involving a complete tear or rupture of a ligament, with significant pain, swelling, and bruising. In such cases, weight-bearing is extremely difficult, and diagnostic imaging like X-rays and MRIs are used to assess the extent of the injury.

The long-term outcome largely depends on the severity of the sprain and how well it was treated. Severe sprains, especially if not properly stabilized, are more likely to lead to arthritis. Since your symptoms have been improving over time, it’s a positive sign that you are likely to recover without significant long-term issues.

Reference:

Todd O. McKinley, MD, et al. “Incongruity Versus Instability in the Etiology of Posttraumatic Arthritis.” Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research, June 2004, Vol. 423, pp. 44-51.