An ankle sprain occurs when a ligament becomes stretched or torn. They usually can happen as a result of excessive exercise or poor conditioning. People who are considerably overweight are susceptible. Sprains also take place more often when shoes don’t fit properly or for women who wear high-heeled shoes.
A sprained ankle is painful and tender. You will likely experience swelling, bruising, muscle spasms and difficulty moving the afflicted area. The damaged joint may also have difficulty withstanding pressure, thus making it difficult to walk.
Diagnosis of the injury is determined by examination of the location of the bruising, swelling, and tenderness. It is also necessary to perform stress testing of the ligaments to determine whether the ligament has been torn. This is done by pushing on the ankle and attempting to determine if there is any abnormal motion at the joint, which would indicate that a ligament has been torn. In addition, x-rays may be performed to check for the possibility of a chipped bone or fracture.
You can reduce the likelihood of a sprain by wrapping weak joints before physical activity. Stretch your muscles before and after exercise. You should also wear specially made athletic shoes designed to protect your ankles.
If you have a mild sprain, home care is sufficient. Allow the joint to rest. To relieve the pain and reduce swelling, apply a cold pack for the first 24 hours. Wrap, splint, or cast the joint to strengthen it. If your joint still hurts after 24 hours, apply heat by soaking the afflicted area in hot water for fifteen minutes.
If pain persists, the joint will not bear weight, or swelling and bruising worsens, visit your podiatrist. Your podiatrist will speed your healing by treating your ankle with medication and physical therapy.
Dr. Robert Abrams, DPM, is medical director of the FootCare Center of Santa Clarita. For more information, please call 661-253-3668 or visit www.killerfeet.net .