What is an ankle sprain?
An ankle sprain is an injury to the anterior talofibular ligament, the one on the outside of your ankle, or less commonly, the deltoid ligament on the inside of your ankle.
Ankle sprains range from mild to severe. Milder sprains involve overstretched ligaments, while severe sprains involve a tear in the ligament and could also damage other structures around your ankle joint.
You may sprain your ankle in a variety of ways. Running over uneven terrain, stepping down from a curb or in a hole, or badly landing a jump are common causes. Poor shoe fit, overexertion, tiredness, and other factors can increase your risk of an ankle sprain.
What are the symptoms of an ankle sprain?
You may have a sprained ankle if you experience the following ankle issues:
- Soreness or pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Popping noise at the moment of injury
These symptoms are all signs that you need prompt care. Dr. Puthenpurakal offers a diagnosis and treatment if you’re injured.
When should you see a doctor for a sprained ankle?
You should see your podiatrist right away if your ankle sprain results in a severe deformity or an open wound, if you can’t put weight on your ankle, if you develop a fever or other infection symptom, and if the pain is unbearable.
If your injury isn’t severe, but you’re still unsure whether you should see your doctor, try the RICE method:
Rest
Keep weight off the ankle and avoid activities.
Ice
Apply ice packs 3-4 times a day for 20 minutes each time.
Compression
Wear a compression bandage.
Elevation
Keep your foot above heart height.
If, after a few days, you’re still in a lot of pain and your ankle is swollen, see Dr. Puthenpurakal.
How do you treat a sprained ankle?
Treatment for a sprained ankle focuses on controlling your pain, protecting your ankle joint as the injury heals, and strengthening the support muscles in your ankle. Available treatments include:
- Elastic bandage or taping
- Splint or another immobilizing device
- Home exercise to improve balance and stability
- Elevation at home
- Continued passive motion
If you have a severe ligament tear that doesn’t heal, your podiatrist could recommend surgery to restore your ankle’s stability.
For the treatment of an ankle sprain, call American Foot & Ankle Specialists today, or use the online scheduling tool.
