Madonna's Ankle Injury – Is She Treating Her Ankle Sprain Correctly?

Madonna’s Ankle Injury – Is She Treating Her Ankle Sprain Correctly?

By Dr. Nirenberg Saturday July 11, 2009

Madonna with Ice Pack and Bandaged Ankle

Madonna limped off the stage yesterday after injuring her ankle during a concert in France. Reporters spotted her with a big wrapping around her ankle. From these reports and photos, it seems she is treating her ankle sprain (ankle injury) wrong. But, before I get to that, we need to understand a little about ankle sprains.

If You Dance, You Must Pay the Piper

Dancers may not be considered athletes, but the one’s at the top of their game—such as Madonna—are just as athletic as the top basketball or football players, albeit in a different way.

Madonna (and other dancers) often do complex dance moves for which our feet and ankles were not designed. Specifically, these dancers move sideways with a lot of sudden stopping and going. These abrupt sideways (or lateral) movements strain the ligaments—the thin fibrous bindings–that hold our ankle securely to our foot. (One can only begin to imagine the incredible strain Madonna’s fantastic dance moves puts on her ankles!)

Dancers Are at High Risk to Injure The Ankle's Ligaments

Doing these sudden, quick moves once or twice is one thing, but Madonna and other dancers do these repeatedly, and as a result, the strain on the ligaments accumulates.

Over time, the ligaments weaken, and eventually they SNAP—giving out. You may see a simple ankle strain or ankle injury, or a severe ankle sprain or even a ankle fracture.

The Best Treatment for Madonna’s Sprained Ankle

Madonna with her Ankle Bandaged Incorrectly

In the photo above, Madonna has wrapped a big bandage AROUND her ankle. This type of wrapping is a start. A sprained ankle needs rest, ice and immobilization.

The reason for immobilization is to allow the frayed, sprained, or even torn ankle ligaments to heal. And not just heal enough for the pain to go away, but they should heal up as snugly and tightly as possible.

When ankle ligaments do not heal correctly, the person has doomed their ankle to weakness and instability for the rest of their life.

A weak ankle is more prone to further ankle sprains, ankle injuries, ankle pain and even ankle fractures. A vicious cycle ensues. People with weak ankles may eventually develop ankle arthritis due to repeat sprains. Ankle arthritis can lead to chronic pain with each and every step.

Madonna has several options to allow the ligaments to heal—casting the ankle, a walking boot, an ankle brace or wrapping up the ankle. She may also need physical therapy or other measures.

Madonna has started treating her ankle sprain with wrapping the ankle, but to do it right she needs to have the wrapping pull the ligaments tight (pull them together) The wrapping should go under the heel or arch and pull the foot up to the ankle and immobilize the entire foot/ankle complex.

The Right Way to Tape a Ankle Sprain

Depending on the severity of the sprain, Madonna may find herself with a lifetime of ankle weakness. I hope she heeds this warning and promptly sees a podiatrist!

Sources: Radar and The London Paper

To Learn More about Taping Up an Ankle Sprain visit Sports Medicine International

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