Harvin suffered a Grade 3 sprain of his left ankle against the Seahawks on November 4, according to a team source.  A Grade 3 sprain is associated with a complete ligament tear, and the timetable for recovery is usually four to six weeks.

When Harvin first spoke to reporters following the injury, he said his ankle was sprained in three places, but did not talk about the torn ligament.

Harvin suffered the Grade 3 sprain when a defender landed awkwardly on his ankle.  He underwent an MRI which confirmed the damage, but the team was optimistic that he could make a speedy recovery.

The team initially believed Harvin could return in three weeks, but he did not make as much progress as the team hoped.  Harvin ran routes last week but still experienced discomfort in the ankle.  Harvin was seen walking with a limp following the session, and the team held him out of Sunday’s game against the Packers.

Harvin is still dealing with inflammation in his ankle, and team doctors may see how his ankle responds to pain-killing injections this week.  The injections limit pain by reducing inflammation, but the inflammation is also necessary in the healing process.

Harvin will attempt to practice Wednesday with the hopes of playing Sunday against the Bears in a matchup that has big playoff implications.

Dr. Silverman Comments

A grade 3 ankle sprain involves complete disruption of the ligament tissue.

All patients deserve an attempt at non-surgical treatment with ankle sprains, to see if they will heal them at the appropriate length. However, if not better by 8 weeks, he will need surgery to get back to his best.

A ligament is a tissue that connects one bone to another. The anterior talofibular ligament connects the fibular bone to the talus bone and stabilizes the ankle from twisting. When you have a Grade 3 sprain the ligament is completely torn. While all ligaments heal, they often heal at a dysfunctional length. Some people can accommodate. Others heal too long.

Harvin falls in that category. We will have to see how he does and hope rehab makes him stronger. If he can’t make it, he will need the ligament cut and shortened in a reconstructive procedure.

Related source: 1500 ESPN Twin Cities

The post Percy Harvin Battling Through Ligament Tear appeared first on Lance Silverman, MD - Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon.

Harvin hurt himself on a rushing attempt late in the third quarter of Sunday’s game, but continued to play through the injury.

Harvin underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.  The MRI confirmed a significant sprain, but he avoided any fractures in the ankle.  He was on crutches when he told reporters that his ankle was sprained in three places.

When asked if he thought he would be able to play Sunday against Detroit, Harvin said “It’s a longshot.  But I’m not ruling myself out.”

Dr. Silverman Comments

Ankle sprains are common and troublesome.

The good news is that he should be healthy enough to play sooner rather than later, as the MRI showed no fractures, but Harvin’s ankle may never be the same.  Most severe ankle sprains will have short-term and long-term effects.  Weeks, months, and years from now the ankle may still give him problems. His lateral quickness to the side opposite the sprain may be slowed.

He will eventually develop “spurs” if he continues to aggravate the injury.

I wouldn’t recommend an early procedure during the season, but if Harvin doesn’t like the way his ankle feels or if he isn’t as quick to cut, he should consider repair during the offseason.  Ligament reconstruction would help strengthen the ankle, and my patients have been pleased with the results when facing the same procedure.

Related Sources:

foxnews.com

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