A sprained ankle can happen to anyone. You can develop this injury while playing sports or just walking down the street and stepping the wrong way. There are different levels of sprains based on severity. It is important to seek proper treatment for a sprained ankle to prevent the injury from becoming chronic.
Identification
The ankle is a hinge joint where several bones are connected to each other with ligaments. Since your ankle can move in many directions, it is prone to injury. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that one of the functions of the ligaments is to stabilize your ankle. Ligaments are designed to stretch only slightly to prevent your ankle joint from twisting or turning too far. However, if you pull too hard on the ligaments, as when playing sports or when you lose your balance when walking, you may overstretch them and end up with a sprain.
Types of Sprains
Sprains are classified into three categories based on the severity of your injury. A Grade 1 sprain is a mild injury that may cause some swelling and pain. It usually does not stop you from doing your normal activities. However, you may still need to stretch and ice your ankle after using it. A moderate sprain is classified as a Grade 2 sprain. Your ankle may feel unstable and be painful to place weight on. At this level, the ligament has torn slightly. A severe sprain is called a Grade 3 sprain, and at this point the ligament has torn completely or ruptured. If you have a Grade 3 sprain, you may be unable to walk or move your ankle.
Considerations
Before deciding on the type of treatment you need for your sprained ankle, you need to get a proper diagnosis. Your physician will perform a physical exam and check for tenderness, pain, swelling and discoloration, and he will test your strength and range of motion. The severity of your symptoms can often tell your doctor what level of sprain you have. You may also need X-rays to rule out a broken bone or an MRI so your doctor can see the level of tear in your ligaments.
Treatment
If your ankle sprain is a Grade 1, you may just require a period of rest and avoiding the activities that cause pain. Using ice and bandages to reduce swelling can also be used. A mild sprain may only take a week or two to heal.
For a Grade 2 sprain, your doctor may want you to immobilize the area and use crutches to keep weight off your affected ankle. This will keep the ankle joint from moving to help speed your recovery, according to FamilyDoctor.org. You may need to take pain or anti-inflammatory medications to help manage your symptoms. This level of injury may take several weeks to heal and require that you return slowly to pre-injury activities.
A Grade 3 sprain may require a cast and compete immobilization for six weeks or longer. After your cast is removed, you may benefit from a period of physical therapy to help regain strength and range of motion. Your therapist will teach you how to participate in activities without re-injuring your ankle. In rare cases, if your injury does not heal on its own, you may need surgery to sew your torn ligament back together.
Prevention/Solution
You will need to take steps to prevent spraining your ankle again. Strengthening exercises will help your ankle to be more stable. When the muscles that support the ankle are strong, they can help stop you from twisting or turning too far. Stretching your ankle area will help you to gain more range of motion and flexibility. A more flexible ankle is less prone to injury. In addition, the Mayo Clinic recommends doing exercises that will improve your balance to help prevent you from twisting as you walk or play. All of the above will allow your ankle to move without straining the ligaments. You may also want to visit a podiatrist, who can examine the way you tend to land or step on your foot. She can suggest orthotics or taping techniques to help you land correctly.
