What is a sprained ankle?
A sprained ankle is a common type of injury that occurs when you twist, roll, or stretch your ankle in an unnatural way. This results in the stretching or tearing of the ligaments that support your ankle bones and keep them in place.
Sprained ankles commonly affect athletes, especially people who play sports like basketball, soccer, and tennis. These sports require lots of twisting, jumping, and sudden changes of direction, all of which can easily lead to injury. However, you can sprain your ankle no matter your level of physical activity, simply by walking on an uneven surface or awkwardly getting out of bed.
What are the symptoms of a sprained ankle?
A sprained ankle can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the severity of the sprain. You may initially hear a popping sound at the time of your injury. Pain can range from just a mild twinge to severe enough to interfere with walking.
Other common symptoms of a sprained ankle include:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Ankle instability
- Limited range of motion
After a sprain injury, it may become increasingly difficult to put weight on your ankle, and you should schedule a diagnostic evaluation with Dr. Jurcisin as soon as possible to confirm a sprain and rule out fractures and other possible causes.
How is a sprained ankle diagnosed?
Dr. Jurcisin offers on-site diagnostic testing, including X-rays and MRIs, to get a better look at the inner structure of your ankle. Additionally, he examines your ankle joint, identifying areas of tenderness or restrictions in your range of motion.
If Dr. Jurcisin diagnoses you with a sprained ankle, he creates a treatment plan to ensure your ankle heals fully. Not allowing your ankle to heal completely can increase your risk for recurring ankle injuries in the future.
How is a sprained ankle treated?
Ankle sprains and strains require a lot of self-care at home in addition to your initial office visit and follow-up appointments. This is necessary to avoid aggravating the injury, so you can keep your pain and inflammation to a minimum and use your ankle again as soon as possible.
Dr. Jurcisin provides comprehensive guidance for home care to ensure your ankle heals fully from the sprain. The ligament usually heals itself over time, but it’s important to take precautions.
Initially, you should follow the RICE protocol that involves periods of rest, ice, compression, and elevation of your ankle. You may need to use crutches when walking to keep pressure off the affected ankle. Dr. Jurcisin may also recommend a brace to keep your ankle still and stable.
Laparoscopic surgery may be an option to correct severe damage to the ankle ligaments if conservative treatments aren’t enough to ease pain or increase mobility.
You can expect to schedule follow-up appointments with Dr. Jurcisin to monitor your healing process and evaluate your range of motion and pain levels.
To schedule an evaluation for your ankle sprain, call Precision Footcare or use the online booking tool.
