Your ankle is a complicated joint. The ball and socket structure allows your foot and ankle to move in a circular direction. When the ligaments that support your bones stretch a little too far to one side or the other, they could get hurt.
Twisting and turning is a part of many sports. A twist, roll, or turn that goes too far could cause your ankle to sprain.
Is Your Ankle Sprained?
Sprains happen when the ligaments surrounding your joint stretch or tear. The elasticity that’s normally apparent in your ankle suddenly vanishes. Any movement you’re able to do becomes excruciatingly painful.
Ankle sprains happen in varying degrees of severity. Mild injuries (grade 1) are just a slight stretch in the ligaments. More severe injuries (grades 2 and 3) happen when there is a partial or full tear in the ligament surrounding the bone structure.
Some of the most common symptoms you could experience include:
- Instability
- Severe pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Stiffness
- Difficulty walking or moving
As tempting as it might be to elevate and ice your ankle, severe sprains need more extensive treatment than you can easily provide at home. Without the proper care, your ankles could weaken, causing more injuries and more time off your feet.
Low Ankle Sprains
Low ankle sprains are common. They can happen to anyone who moves the wrong way while walking in high heels or while taking a leisurely stroll. Usually the treatment for ankle sprains is minimal.
High Ankle Sprains
High sprains are more serious. These usually happen in contact sports or when some sort of traumatic blow hits your body. When this occurs, the momentum of the impact forces your ankle to stretch further out of its natural position, causing the tendons and ligaments up high (between your fibula and tibia) to stretch and strain.
Get Treatment to Get Relief
Many athletes put off treatment for ankle sprains in hopes that the symptoms will go away naturally. With the advanced care used at Shenandoah Podiatry, treatment might be easier and more effective than you think.
By running a few tests, such as x-rays and a physical exam, your podiatrist will be able to gauge what type of treatment is best suited for your injury. In extreme situations, you might need surgery to heal your injury properly. The likelihood that you will require surgery increases the longer you wait to seek treatment.
If you think you might have had an ankle injury, contact us today to schedule an appointment. The sooner you get evaluated, the sooner you’ll get back in action.