Overview
A common yet often misdiagnosed injury in people of all ages are ankle sprains. This article delves into the identification, symptoms, and grades of such sprain injuries and a comparison of Sprained vs Broken Ankle. We will also shed light on the different types of ankle sprains, typical swelling patterns, and their effective treatments, both at home, as well as those recommended by doctors. This article’s purpose is to serve as an extensive manual for those who wish to seek information, hence we will cover the most important basis of ankle sprains.
What is a Sprained Ankle?
Your ankle joint connects your foot with the lower part of your leg. The ligaments are responsible for holding together the bones of your ankle joint so that they do not shift out of place. If any of these three ligaments are stretched too far or torn, it is referred to as a sprained ankle. Any force that stretches the ankle beyond its normal range can damage the ligament. This usually occurs when your foot is turned inward, outward, or twisted.
You could have sprained your ankle if you fell down or twisted/rolled over and now you feel pain and swelling around the ankles.
Most sprains occur in the lateral aspects of the ankle where there is more motion available. The treatment may vary depending on how much pain you endure; starting from resting it and using an over-the-counter medication to having a visit to the doctor’s office for an examination.
Sprained Ankle Symptoms
What are four signs an ankle sprain is bad?
The following symptoms are associated with a sprained ankle, and differ in some regards to the symptoms of a broken ankle.
- Pain: Immediate and severe pain at the site of the sprain is common. Your nerves tend to get more sensitive after a sprain. Any pressure applied results in pain in the ankle, whether you walk, or press it against the ground, or attempt to move your foot.
- Swelling: The ankle often swells rapidly following the injury. The swelling occurs mostly around the point where you sprained your ankle.
- Bruising: Discoloration can appear around the affected area.
- Limited Range of Motion: Due to the swelling, and pain, your ankle may have a limited range of motion. It may not be easy to move it, or walk, as the sprained area coming in any contact or moving beyond measure results in pain.
- Tenderness: The area may be sensitive to touch.
- Instability: A feeling of looseness or instability in the ankle joint. The joint feels weak when the ligament is torn.
Types of ankle sprains
Ankle Sprains vary based on the types of ligaments involved in the injury, as well as the direction of the injury.
Inversion Sprain:
For instance, the most common type of sprain is the Inversion Sprain, which occurs when the foot twists inward.
Eversion Sprain:
Eversion sprains commonly occur when the foot twists outward. These are relatively less common.
High Ankle Sprain:
The most severe sprain, these involve ligaments above the ankle, and occur when the foot is twisted downwards.
Sprained ankle vs. broken ankle
Ligaments that have either been torn or stretched are what characterize a sprained ankle, while at least one of the bony parts constituting an ankle joint is broken for it to be termed fractured. Similar signs and symptoms such as pain, swelling or even discoloration may accompany both sprain and fracture. Healing from a broken ankle could take approximately six weeks.
Sprained ankle grades
Doctors determine a degree of severity for ankle sprain. They range from Grade 1(Mild) to Grade 3(Severe).
Grade I: Your ligaments are tense, but not torn. The ankle remains stable. There may be pain and stiffness.
Grade II: One or more ligaments have been partially torn. The joint isn’t completely stable; its movement is limited. Swelling occurs with moderate pain.
Grade III: One or more ligaments completely torn so that the ankle feels unstable. Extreme pain makes it impossible to move it.
sprained ankle treatment
The following is a REST model recommended by doctors: RICE
- Rest will prevent you from re-injuring the ankle or straining already inflamed tissues. To take off pressure from joints, one can use either brace or splint.
- Ice is probably just about the best treatment one can think of in such situations. Applying it on your foot will reduce blood flow, which consequently helps with reducing any swelling and redness that may also accompany it at times. If done immediately after injury this might be able to avoid inflammation all together.
- Compression is used to decrease swelling. An elastic bandage or wrap should be used until the swelling subsides. Always start wrapping from the farthest part away from your heart. Do not wrap it that tightly as to restrict blood flow completely.
- Elevation (to keep it as high as is feasible) shall facilitate absorption of bulky fluids by your body system thereby speeding up healing processes. Such position can be attained if you lie back at an angle like when using a recliner chair with feet resting on the wall.
Antiinflammatory painkillers manage pain and also reduce any swelling experienced in most cases due minor injuries like sprains which do not require immediate surgical intervention at least at that particular moment. In most instances unlocking mild analgesics like ibuprofen and naproxen should suffice just fine however if one has got any other diseases then please consult with your clinician equipped with sufficient knowledge.
How to Wrap Your Sprained Ankle?
To do a self-treatment of a mild ankle sprain you need to have the following: elastic compression and a non-stretching zinc oxide tape. You can use the following four primary ways to bandage a sprained ankle with the wrap or the tape:
Figure 8. The least secure way to bind your sprained ankle is to use this. Still, it does give extra support to a damaged ligament.
Stirrups. It is advised that you should mark a line with the tape down the inner side of your foot and pull it downwards under the heel, and then pull it up on the outer side along the ankle.
Heel lock. This is a style of running the tape around your ankle and then to your heel’s base in the same manner multiple times.
Basket weave. This procedure is the best way to secure your sprained ankle by taping it.
Read Also: What You Need to Know About Wrapping a Sprained Ankle?
There are several dressing bandages available for treating sprains, giving them required compression and holding the ankle in place properly. The recommended ones include:
- Stretch bandage roll
- Stretch gauze wrap
- Gauze stretch bandage
Sprained ankle exercises
Beginning the exercises is possible at 48 hours after the occurrence of the sprain and the continuity of doing them should be until it completely relieves the pain. It is the best to do the exercises while sitting on the chair or on the floor. Thus, the type of exercise that can help one in the process includes such things as the range of motion, flexibility, and strength which are informed to the consumer.
- Flex your ankle. Put your heel down on the floor and then walk your toes away from you and then pull them back toward your body, repeating it for several times.
- Write the alphabet with your big toe. On the heel rest, the floor uses your big toe to write each letter of the alphabet in the air.
- For strengthening the injured foot, artificially cause mine to move in a rotating manner both outside and inner. Use an elastic band for that purpose.
- Move your ankle while you are standing and sitting.
- Gather yourself up on your toes to expand your heels.
Medical treatment
For problems like acute, sedentary, or being the same for a week or more if something is not getting better you should consult a doctor. The doctor may find it proper to give you a brace or a cast to hold your ankle still. You could move the weight off the ankle by using crutches.
If you get a severe sprain, you have a follow-up meeting a week or two later to be sure you are getting better and hear if you might go for physical therapy also to get the flexibility and the strength back.
No or mild orthopedic injuries like sprains do not necessarily need to be cured by medical treatment. You will have surgery when the sprain you get is severe. Besides that, if you are more likely to get sprains again because you are very active and like to play sports, you might need it as well.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
- How severe is my sprain?
- Is this a sprain or is my ankle broken?
- Do you recommend I use crutches?
- Should I visit a physical therapist to improve strength in my ankle?
Conclusion
Sprained ankles can be anything from minor annoyance to serious injury. Diagnosis, types, and treatment options are crucial for proper care and recovery. Following the recommended guidelines can speed up the healing process and prevent future ankle problems.