What is an Ankle Sprain?
- How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?
- What Are Common Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain?
- What Are Treatment Options for Ankle Sprains?
An ankle sprain injury occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an unnatural way. This stretches or tears the ligaments that help hold your ankle bones together.
Like most injuries, ankle sprains can vary widely in severity of pain as well as recovery time. Some ankle sprain sufferers will reach a full recovery by simply keeping weight off of the injured ankle until it has had time to heal; in other cases treatment is required to properly heal a sprained ankle.
If you, or a loved one, believe you are suffering from an ankle sprain, it is best to seek medical attention in order to determine the severity of the sprain and to rule out the possibility of a more serious injury. At the Orlando Orthopaedic Center, our board-certified specialists offer personalized sprained ankle treatment plans for patients suffering from mild to severe sprains.
How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?
Ankle sprains are very common injuries which often hinder daily activity. The ligaments in the ankle hold the bones and joints in place. They also protect the ankle from unnatural movements such as twisting or turning.
Ligaments stretch naturally when such movements occur; a sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched beyond its natural range. Severe sprains occur when fibers of the ligament are torn. Because it takes time to heal an ankle sprain, it’s important to reduce or even eliminate pressure on the ankle during the healing process.
What Are Common Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain?
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Immobility
- Bruising
- Redness
- Instability
What Are Common Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain?
The proper method for an ankle sprain treatment is dependent on the severity of the sprain. A grade one sprain, which results in minimal swelling and tenderness, requires: compression, ice, rest and elevation. A grade 2 sprain, which results in moderate swelling, tenderness and a decrease in range of motion, also requires: compression, ice, rest and elevation.
In addition your doctor may provide a brace or splint to immobilize the ankle while it heals. A grade 3 sprain, results in significant swelling and tenderness as well as instability. Grade 3 sprains can cause permanent instability and often require rehabilitation to help the patient regain strength and range of motion. In some rare cases a patient will need to undergo surgery.
At the Orlando Orthopaedic Center our foot and ankle specialists provide sprained ankle treatment for patients suffering from a varying degree of pain and/or immobility. Whether you are suffering from a moderate to severe ankle sprain; our specialists are here to help you through every step of the treatment and recovery process. If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you heal a sprained ankle, schedule a consultation with one of our specialists today.
