It’s a rather unique joint: both fragile and heavily solicited, as it permanently bears the entire weight of our body. The ankle — for that’s what we’re talking about — is a complex, clamp-shaped joint made up of three bones: the tibia, the fibula, and the talus, all encased in a capsule and a strong network of ligaments. This structure is designed to provide both mobility and stability, which are essential for walking and sporting activities, including on slippery, uneven, or unstable surfaces.
And because it’s fragile, injuries are common, especially nowadays when outdoor activities are enjoyed by a growing number of enthusiasts, sometimes of advanced age. The most frequent injury is, of course, an ankle sprain — which can be mild, moderate, or severe — affecting more than 750 people every day in Switzerland.
A sprain usually occurs when the foot twists suddenly, most often inward, causing the ligaments to stretch or even tear. In more severe cases, it can lead to a fracture of one of the bones or even a dislocation of the joint.
By Charaf Abdessemed
