In the case of a severe sprain, a cast or walking boot may be necessary to immobilize the ankle while the tendon heals. Ankle pain is most commonly caused by a sprain. Treatment begins with standard R.I.C.E. Most frequently, ankle pain resolves in days to weeks after injury. Choose appropriate athletic shoes for your sport. Symptoms of a sprained ankle include swelling, pain, and throbbing in the joints, and redness and warmth. In the case of a Grade 3 sprain there may be some degree of permanent instability that requires a cast or brace for several weeks to allow th… A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joints. Ankle sprain treatment involves immediate first aid to reduce pain and swelling, rest to allow healing, followed by a rehabilitation program to restore full mobility, strength, and proprioception or coordination to prevent re-injury. Such injuries to the ligaments or tendons of the ankle happen during athletic events, while running or walking, or even doing something as simple as getting out of bed. One of the better exercises for the joint involves placing a towel around the foot. Ankle injuries account for over 14.2 million physician visits annually, but only 15% of these injuries are fractures. Urgency: Self-treatment. Minimize wearing high-heeled shoes. This should involve Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE). Use hiking shoes on rough terrain. Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, a more severe sprain can weaken your ankle—making it more likely that you will injure it again. Inversion ankle sprain can be tough to differentiate from a fracture (broken bone) without an x-ray. Doing so with certain injuries, like a moderate to severe ankle sprain, can make the damage worse and delay your recovery. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? 3. Proprioception is the word used to describe your body's ability to sense the … After the cast is removed, your doctor will prescribe physical therapy to help restore the normal range of motion in your ankle joint. Your symptoms depend on how much your ankle ligament is strained or torn. Initial treatment involves bracing or neuromuscular training. For severe injuries, you may be referred to a specialist in musculoskeletal injuries, such as an orthopedic surgeon or a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The doctor will touch the skin around the injury to check for points of tenderness and move your foot to check the range of motion and to understand what positions cause discomfort or pain.If the injury is severe, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following imaging scans to rule out a broken bone or to evaluate in more detail the e… 2. Ankle sprains are categorized and treated based on the severity of the ligament injury. This helps to minimise bleeding at the site of the strained or torn ligament and can help to reduce discomfort and improve recovery time. Consider the use of crutches in severe injuries. Use hiking shoes on rough terrain. Ankle pain is often caused by common injuries like a sprain, or medical conditions like arthritis, gout, or nerve damage. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. The most common location for a sprain is in your ankle.Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. Learn about high ankle sprain treatment … American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. If you are unable to bear weight after this type of injury, or if there is considerable swelling or defect, you ought to seek medical treatment from a doctor (MD or DO). Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts. The most common location for a sprain is in your ankle.Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. Mild sprains can be successfully treated at home. If you're a runner, replace your sneakers every 300 to 400 miles. The typical injury occurs when the ankle is suddenly "twisted" in a … Which direction did your foot turn when you injured it? Ankle pain is often caused by common injuries like a sprain, or medical conditions like arthritis, gout, or nerve damage. Start slowly. Heat increases blood flow to an injury, which can speed healing. Apply the PRICE principles (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation) as soon as possible after injury. All rights reserved. A grade 2 ankle sprain describes a partial ligament tear, and grade 3 sprains involve complete tearing of one or more ankle ligaments. Don't play sports or participate in activities for which you are not conditioned. Depending on the severity of the sprain, your doctor may recommend an elastic bandage, sports tape or an ankle support brace to stabilize the ankle. For a Grade 1 (mild) sprain, follow the R.I.C.E. Ankle pain is most commonly caused by a sprain. The treatment goals are to reduce pain and swelling, promote healing of the ligament, and restore function of the ankle. Prevention of ankle sprain 3. 2018 Aug;52(15):956. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098106. Ankle Sprain Treatment Treatment of sprained ankles is important because returning to normal activities in a timely manner is important for most patients. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Place a small section of the cloth just behind your toes and begin to wrap it in a spiral toward your heart. Apply ice packs to the sprained ankle for 20- to 30-minute periods every 3 or 4 hours. Ankle pain … Grade 1 and Grade 2 sprains should effectively heal using the RICE approach. Start slowly. Therapy can begin within two weeks after the swelling is addressed. During this phase, the ankle joint ligament injury is treated with cast, braces, arthroscopy or surgery. After the cast is removed, your doctor will prescribe physical therapy to help restore the normal range of motion in your ankle joint. 2018 Aug;52(15):956. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098106. Grading Ankle Injuries. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. https://clinicalkey.com.