Just an Ankle Sprain?
One of the more common injuries we see in our population here in Traverse City is the dreaded ankle sprain. Many of us have had this painful condition as a result of a sports injury but it can even happen from a simple misstep on uneven ground or slippery ice. The result of rolling your ankle can be as simple as a few days tenderness to lasting damage to ligaments or ankle. Even worse, you can limp away with an ankle fracture.
Usually, an ankle sprain causes some variable level of damage to the ligaments on the outside of your ankle. You can simply stretch the ligament, tear it, or even rupture the ligament completely. It is hard to know at the time of injury what the case is. If you are unable to put weight on your ankle then it is recommended that you make an appointment as soon as possible to have an xray and determine if you have fractured your ankle and what kind of treatment is necessary in the near term. Previous ankle or foot injuries, shoe gear, and certain activities can predispose you to an ankle sprain.
Symptoms may include:
-Pain or soreness
-Swelling
-Bruising
-Difficulty walking
-Stiffness in the joint
Treatment for an ankle sprain begins with early evaluation by a podiatrist to rule out other more complicating foot or ankle injuries that can occur at the same time as an ankle sprain. An X-ray is often performed initially, and further advanced imaging such as an MRI may be ordered as needed.
Initial non-surgical treatment involves rest, icing 20 minutes per hour making sure to protect your skin in the process, compression, elevation above the level of your heart to control swelling, early physical therapy to maintain range of motion and get you back to your normal level of functioning as soon as possible. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
If you have twisted your ankle, whether it was a long time ago or just recently, and you have persistent pain, then call our office to have one of our specialists evaluate your condition soon.