Ankle Sprains Diagnosis and Treatment

What You Need to Know

Understanding your ankle sprain is the first step toward proper healing.

Understanding Ankle Sprains

An ankle or foot sprain is a soft tissue injury that occurs when an injury stretches or tears the ligaments that connect bone to bone. A sudden sideways motion, a twist, or a misstep can cause this. When your foot lands off balance, muscles may give way, allowing the ankle joint to move too far. If ligaments connecting the foot and anklebones overstretch or tear, a sprain is the result.

These sudden injuries cause pain both at the time they occur and throughout the healing process. If you have sprained your ankle, you will find it hard to walk on that foot. Your foot will swell and show bruising, and you will feel extreme pain and stiffness. Depending on the sprain, swelling and bruising may extend from your ankle into your foot.

Many sprains happen during sports, especially basketball and football. However, you may sprain your ankle just tripping on uneven ground or stepping the wrong way off a curb.

If the pain and swelling have not subsided in a day or so, or if you have difficulty walking, please come see a podiatrist for assessment of your injury. We will carefully examine your ankle and feet and order imaging tests like an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI to confirm our diagnosis. To test the injured joint and ligaments, your doctor may hold your foot while gently pulling the heel forward.

Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention

Depending on your injury, treatment may range from pain control to immobilization of the joint. If the sprain is severe or if a bone is damaged, surgery may be needed. For a mild to moderate sprain, a few days of home care will help speed up healing.

RICE is the best way to begin treatment at home. Rest the sprained ankle and do not stand on it for at least a day or two. Ice the area as soon as possible to reduce inflammation, applying ice for 20 minutes, removing it for 20 minutes, then reapplying. Protect your skin by placing a bandage or thin towel between the ice and your body. Compress the swollen ankle with an elastic bandage, and elevate the sprained ankle above your heart level.

To help reduce pain and swelling, your doctor may suggest oral anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen, which can reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. If damage or pain is severe, your doctor may tape, splint, or cast the sprain. Once immobilized, the torn tissues can rest and heal in the proper position. You may need to use crutches temporarily if your foot cannot support weight.

To avoid ankle sprains, always wear the proper athletic shoes for your activity, replace shoes when worn out, and avoid walking or running on uneven surfaces. With proper care, sprains can heal correctly, and in many cases, you can reduce the risk of re-injury.