The ankle is a joint held together by various ligaments, which are bands of tissue that connect the bones in your ankle. When these ligaments are overstretched or torn due to an injury, you suffer from an ankle sprain. Mild ankle sprains cause tenderness and swelling, while moderate to severe ankle sprains may require a cast and crutches to ensure that the ligaments can heal properly.
If you think that you may have sprained an ankle, your next course of action should be to head to a podiatrist. In situations like this, a podiatrist can use an x-ray machine to determine the severity of the injury and provide a treatment plan. If you don’t seek treatment right away, you could exacerbate your injury and cause long-term weakness and pain.
At your appointment, our podiatrist will evaluate how severe your ankle sprain is, and whether or not you need further care. Our number one goal is to get you feeling better as soon as possible.
How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?
Ankle sprains are a very common injury, but that doesn’t make them any less painful. If you’ve ever sprained your ankle, you’ll understand why you should take it seriously. And if you’re worried about doing damage from an ankle sprain in the future, fear not. It’s easily preventable!
Sprains are a common injury that occur when the ligaments are stretched or torn. They tend to happen when you move quickly, shift your weight, or make another sudden movement. A severe sprain can make it hard to get around. Movement and weight-bearing activities may be difficult, and the injured area may feel weak.
A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.
What Are the Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle?
The four major symptoms of a sprained ankle are pain at the sight of the tear, bruising or swelling, tenderness to touch, and joint area discolouration. Severe cases may hear or feel something tear inside the joint and may have trouble moving the joint because of extra pain.
Preventing a Sprained Ankle
Shoes: The right shoe is a must for optimal ankle support. You should wear shoes with medium to thick soles with adequate cushioning. Don’t wear high heels or platform shoes because they over-stress your ankles.
Stretching: Stretch your calves on a regular basis to prevent muscle strains and injuries. In addition, stretch before exercises, sports or activities that tend to cause sprains. Warm up properly and include stretching muscles to prevent injuries.
Treatment of a Sprain
The best treatment for an ankle sprain is RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevate. However, if the pain persists, you should see a podiatrist to get a professional opinion on your injury and what you can do to alleviate it.
When you injure your ankle, it’s important to make sure that you seek treatment and rehabilitation. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises can help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury. If you
*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.