Patrick Mahomes injury: What is a high ankle sprain and how long is the recovery time?
With the Super Bowl just a few days away, there is still a lot of concern about Patrick Mahomes’ leg, which he injured in their game against the Jaguars.
Patrick Mahomes has a lot to do with the successful campaign of the Kansas City Chiefs this season, which is why his recent injury remains a cause for concern in the run-up to the Super Bowl.
The quarterback hurt his right leg in the first quarter of the AFC divisional round matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury was serious enough for him the leave the game in the first half for treatment for what turned out to be a high ankle sprain.
Mahomes eventually returned to play in the second half and contributed significantly to their 27-20 victory. He also saw action in the conference championship against the Cincinnati Bengals.
What is a high ankle sprain?
The 27-year-old’s injury is not the typical sprain that one uses tape on to be able to play through a game. A high ankle sprain is a much less common injury. It’s a stretch or tear of the ligaments holding the two shin bones (tibia and fibula) together. These ligaments, which are just above the ankle, support the lower leg structurally. Damage to them can cause the joint to widen, which in turn will cause longer recovery time for the injury.
A grade 1 sprain means the ligament has been stretched, grade 2 means it has been partially torn, and a grade 3 injury means the ligament has been torn completely.
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How long is the recovery time for a high ankle sprain?
A mild high ankle sprain (grade 1) could take three weeks to heal, while a moderate one (grade 2) would need six to eight weeks recovery time. This period assumes that the leg is being rested, which Mahomes did not do immediately after he got hurt. He has said that the state of his leg has improved, but there are still questions as to whether he will be able to perform with maximum mobility and strength come game day.