| An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments in | | | | • Second,you may have suffered a more severe |
| the ankle, usually on the outside of the ankle. Ligaments | | | | ankle injury along with the sprain. This might include a |
| are bands of tissue—like rubber bands—that | | | | serious bone fracture that could lead to troubling |
| connect one bone to another and bind the joints | | | | complications if it goes untreated. |
| together. In the ankle joint, ligaments provide stability by | | | | • Third, an ankle sprain may be accompanied by a |
| limiting side-to-side movement. Some ankle sprains are | | | | foot injury that causes discomfort but has gone |
| much worse than others. The severity of an ankle | | | | unnoticed thus far. |
| sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, | | | | • Fourth, rehabilitation of a sprained ankle needs to |
| partially torn, or completely torn, as well as on the | | | | begin right away. If rehabilitation is delayed, the injury |
| number of ligaments involved. Ankle sprains are not | | | | may be less likely to heal properly. In evaluating your |
| the same as strains, which affect muscles rather than | | | | injury, the foot and ankle surgeon will take your history |
| ligaments. | | | | to learn more about the injury. He or she will examine |
| | | | the injured area, and may order x-rays, an MRI study, |
| What Causes a Sprained Ankle? Sprained ankles | | | | or a CT scan to help determine the severity of the |
| often result from a fall, a sudden twist, or a blow that | | | | injury. |
| forces the ankle joint out of its normal position.Ankle | | | | Non-surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation |
| sprains commonly occur while participating in sports, | | | | When you have an ankle sprain, rehabilitation is |
| wearing inappropriate shoes, or walking or running on | | | | crucial—and it starts the moment your treatment |
| an uneven surface. Sometimes ankle sprains occur | | | | begins. Your foot and ankle surgeon may recommend |
| because of weak ankles, a condition that some people | | | | one or more of the following treatment options: |
| are born with. Previous ankle or foot injuries can also | | | | • Immobilization. Depending on the severity of your |
| weaken the ankle and lead to sprains. | | | | injury, you may receive a short-leg cast, a walking |
| Signs and Symptoms | | | | boot, or a brace to keep your ankle from moving. You |
| The signs and symptoms of ankle sprains may include: | | | | may also need crutches. |
| • Pain or soreness | | | | • Early physical therapy. Your doctor will start you |
| • Swelling | | | | on a rehabilitation program as soon as possible to |
| • Bruising | | | | promote healing and increase your range of motion. |
| • Difficulty walking | | | | This includes doing prescribed exercises. |
| • Stiffness in the joint | | | | • Medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs |
| These symptoms may vary in intensity, depending on | | | | (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to |
| the severity of the sprain. Sometimes pain and swelling | | | | reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, |
| are absent in people with previous ankle | | | | prescription pain medications are needed to provide |
| sprains—instead, they may simply feel the ankle is | | | | adequate relief. |
| wobbly and unsteady when they walk. Even if you | | | | • Icing . You may be advised to ice your injury |
| don't have pain or swelling with a sprained ankle, | | | | several times a day until the pain and swelling |
| treatment is crucial. Any ankle sprain—whether it's | | | | resolves.Wrap ice cubes, or a bag of frozen peas or |
| your first or your fifth—requires prompt medical | | | | corn, in a thin towel. Do not put ice directly on your skin. |
| attention. | | | | • Compression wraps. To prevent further swelling, |
| If you think you've sprained your ankle, contact your | | | | you may need to keep your ankle wrapped in an |
| foot and ankle surgeon for an appointment as soon as | | | | elastic bandage or stocking. |
| possible. In the meantime, immediately begin using the | | | | When Is Surgery Needed? |
| “R.I.C.E.” method— R est, I ce, C ompression, | | | | In more severe cases, surgery may be required to |
| and E levation—to help reduce swelling, pain, and | | | | adequately treat an ankle sprain. Surgery often |
| further injury. | | | | involves repairing the damaged ligament or ligaments. |
| | | | The foot and ankle surgeon will select the surgical |
| Why Prompt Medical Attention Is Needed | | | | procedure best suited for your case based on the |
| There are four key reasons why an ankle sprain | | | | type and severity of your injury as well as your |
| should be promptly evaluated and treated by a foot | | | | activity level. After surgery, rehabilitation is extremely |
| and ankle surgeon: | | | | important. Completing your rehabilitation program is |
| • First, an untreated ankle sprain may lead to | | | | crucial to a successful outcome. Be sure to continue to |
| chronic ankle instability, a condition marked by | | | | see your foot and ankle surgeon during this period to |
| persistent discomfort and a “giving way” of the | | | | ensure that your ankle heals properly and function is |
| ankle.You may also develop weakness in the leg. | | | | restored. |