Houston Rockets’ Forward Still Out with an Ankle Sprain

The Houston Rockets’ forward Ron Artest is still out with an ankle sprain. Artest will probably be out for at least two games and is not expected to accompany the Rockets on the two-game road trip this weekend. He needs to rest his sore and swollen right ankle, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. “Ron will likely not travel with the team in order to rehab his right ankle,” Rockets athletic trainer Keith Jones said.

An MRI on Tuesday showed slightly torn ligaments (known as a Grade 1 sprain) in Artest’s ankle, a condition that has been aggravated by an ankle sprain suffered Nov. 17 during a game in Oklahoma City.

Usually high level athletes will back in the game sooner than this with a mild sprain. “While our medical staff agrees that the ankle injury is fine to play on, Ron is understandably frustrated that the pain has not subsided as he had hoped, so he wants to try sitting out the two-game road trip in order to see if the pain recedes.” Artest’s agent, David Bauman, said the swelling was particularly bad after Artest played for only 39 minutes in Tuesday’s 92-84 winning game over Atlanta.

“Looks like now is the time to do this and let him rest,” Bauman said. “It’s a back-to-back. It’s one of these things, unless he gets a chance to get a consistent chance to rest, it’s not going to get better. Taking off the Memphis game made him a little better. But today it was swollen and painful.”

Ankle sprains are common injuries and account for about 85% of all orthopedic injuries and 45% of all sports-related injuries.

There are three categories of sprains, based on the severity of the ankle injury.

1. First degree ankle sprain:
Some stretching or minor tearing of ligaments.
Mild pain and swelling.
Some difficulty walking.

2. Second degree ankle sprain:
Moderate tearing of ligaments.
Moderate pain and swelling.
Moderate difficulty walking.
Minor instability of the joint.

3. Third degree ankle sprain:
Rupture (complete tear) of at least one ligament ligament.
Instability of the joint (with risk of further injury).
Severe pain and swelling.
Inability to bear weight.

The best way to treat an ankle sprain is the PRICE method (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Wear a splint or brace to protect it. Resting the foot will prevent further damage, and crutches should be used to prevent applying pressure to the ankle. Once you are able to bear weight without pain, it is best to do so because it accelerates the recovery process. Applying ice will initially reduce the swelling. Compression reduces swelling as well as providing ankle support. Elevating the ankle allows blood to flow away from the sprain and further reduces the swelling.

Since ankle injuries are usually accidental, it is difficult to prevent them. Bracing or taping can help. Always wearing proper fitting shoes that offer support around the ankle. This can reduce will the chances and severity of an injury. Ankle injuries cause damage that makes them unstable. The instability can increase the future risk of another sprain. By following a rehabilitation program and doing strengthening exercises, you can reduce the chances of a repeat injury.



Dr. Christopher Segler is an Ironman Finisher and award winning foot and ankle surgeon specializing in elite athletes. His podiatry practice is at the Ankle & Foot Center of Chattanooga. To learn more about Achilles tendonitis, runner’s heel pain, stress fractures, bunions and other common causes of foot pain, you can register for a FREE membership and copy of his monthly newsletter “Finisher’s Circle” by visiting http://www.AnkleCenter.com .