Nate Robinson Suffers Early Season Ankle Injury

On Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76er’s, New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson had to leave in the fourth quarter because of an ankle sprain. The Knicks star sprained his right ankle, which will certainly be a drawback for the already 0-3 Knicks.

Robinson won the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest at last year’s All-Star Game, when he jumped over teammate Wilson Chandler, and then later over Dwight Howard. Nate Robinson is listed at five feet nine inches.

The ankle sprain will likely sideline Robinson for at least two weeks as he recovers. Depending on the extent of the injury, it could be longer.

Until he returns, guards Larry Hughes and rookie Toney Douglas will fill in for Robinson.

The lateral ankle is composed mainly of three ligaments that hold the foot bones to the fibula, which is the leg bone that helps form the ankle. The foot bones involved are the talus and the calcaneus (the heel). The ligaments that hold these structures together are called the anterior talofibular ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament, and the posterior talofibular ligament.

Often in a lateral ankle sprain, these ligaments can become stretched out or even torn. Most commonly, the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament are the two that are affected.

It has not been reported yet the extent of Robinson’s injury, but he will likely get an MRI to determine if the ligaments have been effected. If the ligaments are intact, two weeks should be enough time for him to be back to normal. If they aren’t, it could be a longer recovery.

Basketball is one of the most common sports for athletes to suffer from lateral ankle sprains. One of the reasons for this is that the players are jumping up and down so often, and they may be landing on an uneven surface, like another player’s foot. When landing on an uneven surface, it becomes very easy to roll the ankle laterally, causing the sprained ankle.

To prevent ankle injury during basketball, the proper footwear is recommended. A high-top basketball shoe will offer additional support for the lateral ankle, helping to prevent rolling the ankle. At any level of competitive basketball, especially the NBA, it would be hard to find a player without the proper shoe gear. But on playgrounds and gyms, it’s pretty easy to find a pick-up basketball game filled with players wearing improper shoe gear.

Updates are sure to come once the extent of Nate Robinson’s injury is determined. After leaving the arena on crutches this Saturday, Knicks fans and fantasy basketball players will be waiting for the news.

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center, LLC.
101 6TH St. NW.
Winter Haven, Fl. 33881
863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com