1. Something Has to Give
When an athlete rolls an ankle, the ligaments on the outside of the ankle endure tremendous forces that stretch them, pulling them apart. Since ligaments are tissues that attach bone to bone, this stretching will either tear the ligaments or tear off a piece of bone. A tear in a ligament is a sprain. Sprains come in a variety of different types and degrees of severity and require a great deal of attention. It has been well established that even a mild sprain, unless treated appropriately, will produce an unstable, painful joint. Without appropriate treatment, an ankle sprain may take months to heal.
2. An Ace Wrap Isn't Enough
Proper treatment for a sprain includes elevation and icing for the first 48 to 72 hours. This accelerates a reduction in swelling. Bleeding from the tear in the ligaments causes swelling. The function of an ace wrap is to apply a mild degree of pressure to decrease further bleeding and swelling. It does not impart any stability to the injured joint. An ankle brace or even a cast is required for that part of treatment.
3. The Joint Will Be
Even with proper treatment, a sprained ankle will be weak for a considerable period of time. The stretched ligaments can be reinjured because the ankle can easily roll over again. This means that walking on uneven surfaces poses a risk. Fortunately, there are now stirrup braces you can wear with normal shoes. These prevent the ankle from rolling over and sustaining further damage.
4. See Your Doc
Unless your injury is very mild, it's best to see your doctor. If the injury involves any significant swelling, a significant degree of pain or other signs of fracture, a cast may be applied. The more severe forms of sprains require surgery.
5. Prevention? Tape It, Strap It or Brace It Up
An ankle's stability comes from ligaments, tissues that attach bone to bone. Because there are no muscles involved, there really are not any exercises to strengthen an ankle joint. Prevent the injury by preventing the ankle from rolling over. Tape the ankle or use a brace. Almost all professional athletes utilize some form of ankle strapping. For recreational activities, high top athletic shoes serve this same function although not quite as successfully.
