Did you fall or twist your ankle but aren't sure if it's sprained? A few signs and symptoms tend to occur if you've suffered a sprain. Sprains are among the foot and ankle injuries the Columbus, OH-area podiatrists at Clintonville/Dublin Foot & Ankle in Clintonville, Dublin, and Southwest Columbus treat.
Is it a sprain?
If you have a sprained ankle, a few of these signs and symptoms may occur:
- Pain: Sprained ankles are usually painful. Sprains happen when ligaments are stretched or torn, an injury that causes varying amounts of pain depending on the severity of the ligament damage. If your ligament only stretches slightly, your ankle might hurt when you twist or roll it, but feel much better 10 minutes later. Tears can cause pain that persists even when you're not on your feet.
- Popping Sound: Things can get a little noisy if you damage a ligament. Many people who have sprained ankles report hearing a popping sound when the injury occurred.
- Swelling: Swelling begins soon after you sprain your ankle and is triggered by your body's natural repair process. Blood flow increases when your body sends white blood cells to the injured area. The sudden increase in blood flow is responsible for swelling.
- Bruising: Bruising occurs when small blood vessels are torn. When the vessels burst, a small amount of blood collects under the skin, making it look black and blue.
- Stiffness: Swelling causes stiffness that may make walking challenging. If you can't put any pressure on your foot, call your Clintonville, Dublin, and Columbus podiatrist as soon as possible. In addition to severe sprains, fractures can also cause instability.
How can a foot doctor help?
If your ankle pain doesn't get better in a week or two, is severe or makes it difficult to walk, schedule an appointment with your foot doctor. Depending on the severity of your injury, your podiatrist may recommend that you use crutches and wear a cast or walking boot to ease pressure on your joint while it heals. He may also recommend participation in physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that support the ankle. Surgery is usually only needed if your ankle joint is unstable.
Ease your ankle pain with a visit to the foot doctor. Schedule an appointment with the Columbus, OH, area podiatrists at Clintonville/Dublin Foot & Ankle Group by calling (614) 267-8387 for the Clintonville office, (614) 761-1466 for the Dublin office, or (614) 272-2313 for the Southwest office.