Do you need to see a foot care professional for an ankle sprain?
Think you sprained your ankle? While runners and athletes are prone to ankle injuries, they aren’t the only ones. Simply moving or stepping wrong can cause your ankle to turn or twist in a way that could leave you with a sprain. If you notice pain or swelling after an injury or awkward movement, it’s always best to play it safe. Our Fort Walton Beach and Crestview, FL, podiatrists Dr. Cosimo Ricciardi and Dr. Neil Patel can quickly diagnose and treat the problem so you can get back on your feet.
Should I see a podiatrist?
Anytime you think you may have sprained or injured your ankle it’s best to play it safe and turn to our Fort Walton Beach and Crestview, FL, podiatrists for a thorough evaluation and treatment plan as soon as possible. By seeing a qualified professional you ensure that the ankle heals properly. Improper treatment can lead to long-term instability, pain, and weakness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms of a sprained ankle, it’s time to call our practice:
- Ankle pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- A popping or cracking sound at the moment of injury
- Visible deformity or change in the shape of your ankle
- Unable to bear weight on the ankle
How is an ankle sprain treated?
One of the biggest reasons a patient should come into our practice if they suspect an ankle sprain is that there are different degrees and severities, which will require different treatment options. We will need to perform imaging tests as well as a comprehensive physical evaluation of the injured ankle to determine the extent of the sprain.
Mild to moderate ankle sprains are often treated with the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). It’s important that you rest as much as possible and stay off the injured ankle so it can heal properly.
If your ankle sprain is more severe, our podiatrists may recommend a protective boot, ankle brace, or crutches to help stabilize the injured ankle and keep you off your feet for several weeks while the injury heals. As the injury heals, we may recommend physical therapy and rehab to help retrain and restrengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in and around the ankle to prevent future injuries. Only in rare and more severe cases, where nonsurgical treatment options are not enough, will we recommend surgical reconstruction.
Dr. Ricciardi and Dr. Patel work with a lot of athletes and runners, so if you are faced with an ankle or foot injury of any kind, know that our Fort Walton Beach and Crestview, FL, podiatrists can help. To schedule an appointment, call Emerald Coast Podiatry at 850-862-4119 or 850-682-6522.