Ankle sprains are pretty common, especially if you’re active or play sports. Basically, a sprain happens when the ligaments in your ankle get stretched or torn because of a sudden twist or turn. They can range from mild to serious, and it’s important to take care of them properly to avoid long-term issues.
You’ll know you’ve sprained your ankle if you feel pain, see swelling or bruising, and have trouble moving it around. Depending on how bad it is, you might just feel a bit sore. Or you could have a hard time walking or putting weight on your foot.
However, for proper understanding, ankle sprains are divided into three categories that explain the extent of injury to the ligaments in each question:
This entails slight stretching of the ligaments or may be a minimal tearing of the ligaments. And this usually causes some mild pain and swelling. Patients suffering from a grade 1 sprain are able to ambulate but do have some pain.
This grade is also accompanied by some level of pain and swelling due to sprain which is associated with partial tearing of Cincinnati Ankle Sprain Assessment 60 the ligaments and severe bruises. One cannot help to walk and pain will be there in addition to joint feeling of instability in the ankle.
Grade three is the worst type sprain where a ligament is torn up. There is instant animating pain, swelling and loosening. With this type of sprain, patients with grade 3 sprains may not be able to walk without support devices and may take a long duration before they heal.
Understanding the severity of the sprain is very important as it guides the healthcare professional both in the diagnosis and management of the condition. It employs an array of methods including physical examination as well as diagnostic tools like X-ray, MRI among other techniques in order to appraise the injury and exclude other complications like fractures.
For the person to recover completely and minimize the chances of sprains in the future, there must be an effective treatment. Our treatment procedures are all-encompassing and are applicable to the needs of the individual.
Rest: It is advised for the patients not to put any weight on the injured joint so as to prevent further injury to the ligaments.
Ice: The ice is placed over the injured area in order to get rid of some of the skin’s swelling and numb the targeted area.
Compression: Use elastic bandages or compression wraps to control swelling around the injured area and provide support.
Elevation: The ankle is raised higher than heart level, in order to lessen the swelling and allow draining of fluids away from the affected area.
Physical Therapy: We develop special physical therapy programs that help regain the normal range of motion, build up the strength of the muscles surrounding the ankle, and enhance coordination. This is crucial in regulating the chances of sustaining another injury.
Medications: In case of such pain, one can make use of over the counter medications, such as Ibuprofen. Other pain management medications include anti inflammation medications which can also be prescribed.
Bracing or Taping: To provide extra support during the healing process, bracing or taping techniques can assist in providing stability to the ankle and minimizing the risk of aggravating the injury.
Surgical Intervention: In rare cases when the ligament injury is characterized by a high degree of damage, and risk of further instability persists despite treatment, surgical repair of the torn ligaments may be required.
How long it will take to recover from an ankle sprain varies depending on the degree of the injury. Here is a typical guideline:
Usually, these will heal in a matter of weeks with proper treatment and rest plus some light physical activity.
Average weeks or even a couple of months would be needed for the complete recovery of the affected ankle with intense PT in most cases.
The patient may have to deal with the sprain injury for several months before the ankle is fully restored and even after that will need constant rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation is a vital part of the healing process. Marketing research studies prove that the overwhelming majority of abnormal finger movements are restored by the rehabilitation of the total joint on each affected finger. Such educational content alone is helpful but simply will not prevent ankle sprains that would occur in the absence of such clothing and focus on therapeutic exercises like these.
Our clinic seeks to provide professional treatment and complete care for all the patient’s ankle sprains. This is the reason patients come to us:
If you are suffering from an ankle sprain, early treatment is crucial. Scheduling an appointment with us is straightforward:
At Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona, we take great pride in the positive feedback we receive from our patients. Their satisfaction is our top priority. And we strive to exceed their expectations with every interaction. Here are a few testimonials from our valued patients: