Ankle Sprains
What is a sprained ankle?
A sprained ankle is a common injury that has different levels of severity and involves ligaments being forced beyond their normal range of motion. While predominantly treated with self-care techniques, medical evaluations and intervention may be needed depending on the severity of the ankle sprain.
Learn more about ankle sprains below and discover how our foot and ankle specialists can help you navigate and move past the injury.
Types of Ankle Sprains
The symptoms of an ankle sprain are very similar to a broken ankle, or ankle fracture, which include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty with walking
- Tenderness to the touch
- Pain, especially when placing weight on the ankle that is injured
The medical cause of ankle sprains are due to rolling or twisting the ankle, but are frequently the cause of:
- Losing balance
- Landing incorrectly, such as from a jump
- Falling or tripping
- Sports and physical activities that involve rolling or twisting feet, such as soccer, tennis, basketball, or football
Ankle Sprain Treatment and Diagnosis
If you’ve fallen or twisted your ankle and pain, swelling, and bruising have occurred along with trouble walking, you can assume you’ve sprained your ankle. Due to the symptoms of an ankle fracture and sprain being similar, it’s best to visit your doctor and confirm it’s a sprain.
The evaluation for a proper diagnosis will include a physical examination of both your foot and ankle to find the range of motion and see what ligaments were affected by the injury. The exam will likely include an X-ray as well.
To treat a sprained ankle, many healthcare providers recommend the PRICE method for the first 24 to 48 hours:
Protection
Use a splint, brace, or crutches to limit the use of the sprained ankle.
Rest
Limit physical activities to give the ankle time to heal.
Ice
Apply ice or a cold pack in a towel every 20-minutes to reduce the swelling.
Compression
Wrap your ankle in an elastic bandage to help decrease swelling, but wrap gently to avoid cutting off blood circulation.
Elevation
Keep your ankle raised on pillows when sitting or laying down, keeping it elevated above the heart.
Make an Appointment with the Foot and Ankle Specialists
If you’ve suffered an ankle sprain or have any of the symptoms listed above, we encourage you to make an appointment with our foot and ankle specialists.
We at Proliance Pacific Rim Orthopedic Surgeons strive to help our patients achieve a return to normal activity through compassionate and exceptional care using evidence-based medicine in a patient-friendly environment. We are committed to bringing you a high standard of care that is patient-focused, with the goal of improving your quality of life.