Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries seen by a physiotherapist. This can happen when the ankle turns inwards (inversion) during sport or just when walking on an uneven surface. This injures the ligaments on the outside of your ankle (lateral ankle sprain). The muscles that help to prevent inversion of the ankle can also become injured and may make you prone to recurrence of ankle injuries. It is important to differentiate the common lateral ankle sprain from a high ankle sprain, which is also called a syndesmosis sprain. This is a sprain of the ligament at the front of the ankle and between the tibia and fibula. Syndesmosis sprains are caused by a different mechanism of injury to a lateral ankle sprain. The foot is usually forced upwards (ankle dorsi-flexion) or upwards and outwards (ankle eversion) for a syndesmosis sprain to occur. These type of injuries need to be managed by avoiding ankle dorsi-flexion and eversion and strapping of the tibia and fiibula together. More severe injuries may need surgical intervention to stabilize the tibia and fibula. Treatment with ultrasound, interferential, strapping, balance exercises, stretches, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, and joint mobilisation helps to speed up healing and prevent recurrence. If you have an ankle sprain or recurrent ankle sprains, book an appointment with e-physiotherapy Edinburgh.