The New England Patriots’ victory on Sunday over the
Baltimore Ravens sends the Pats to the Super Bowl, but a scary moment came in
the third quarter when tight end Rob Gronkowski went down with what looked like
a serious injury. After catching a short
pass, Gronkowski was tackled and had his left ankle trampled in the
process. The injury looked bad at first,
and Gronkowski was helped off the field.
He later returned to the game in the fourth quarter, but was seen
wearing a boot after the game.
The Boston Herald is reporting that Gronkowski’s ankle is
“fine”, and that he’ll be ready to play in two weeks when the Patriots take on
the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.
This news comes as a relief to Patriots fans everywhere.
Ankle injuries in football and other sports are a common
occurrence. The anatomy of the ankle is
such that a number of different structures may be injured following trauma to
the ankle. The most common types of
injuries are sprains of the lateral ankle ligaments. These include the anterior talofibular
ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and the posterior talofibular
ligament (PTFL). The medial ankle
ligaments include the superficial and deep deltoid ligaments, which are less
commonly affected by rotational ankle injuries.
Fractures of the ankle can also occur, including fractures
of the lateral malleolus (outside ankle bone), and the medial malleolus (inside
ankle bone). The talus, which sits
between these two structures in the ankle joint, can also be affected. Most commonly, the talus may have an
osteochondral lesion, which is a chip in the joint surface.
High ankle sprains are injuries to the syndesmosis of the
ankle, and can be very slow healing injuries that are prone to
complications. These can be quite severe
injuries, and may be associated with the development of long-term instability
of the ankle.
A number of tendons cross the ankle joint, and can also
become damaged in an injury. Most
notably, the peroneal tendons, which run along the outside of the ankle, may
become strained or even dislocated in a rotational-type of injury.
Fractures of some of the bones of the foot may also be seen
in rotational-type ankle injuries, including the fifth metatarsal, the cuboid,
the navicular, and the anterior process of the calcaneus. A thorough work-up with x-rays is almost
always warranted.
While it is not clear what anatomic structures Rob
Gronkowski’s injury involves, it is good news that the medical staff is
anticipating his return for the Super Bowl.
He is certainly a major asset to the Patriots, and plays a vital role in
their offense.
Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center, LLC.
101 6TH St. NW. Winter Haven, Fl. 33881
863-299-4551
www.FLFootandAnkle.com
