(301) 515-FEET (3338)Ankle Sprain
An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle, usually on the outside of the ankle. Ligaments are bands of tissue—like rubber bands—that connect one bone to another and bind the joints together. In the ankle joint, ligaments provide stability by limiting side-to-side movement. Some ankle sprains are much worse than others. The severity of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn, or completely torn, as well as on the number of ligaments involved. Ankle sprains are not the same as strains, which affect muscles rather than ligaments
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ankle sprains may include:
Pain or soreness
Swelling
Bruising
Difficulty walking
Stiffness in the joint
These symptoms may vary in intensity, depending on the severity of the sprain. Sometimes pain and swelling are absent in people with previous ankle sprains—instead, the ankle is wobbly and unsteady when they walk. Even if there is no pain or swelling with a sprained ankle, treatment is crucial. Any ankle sprain—whether it’s the first or the fifth—requires prompt medical attention. If you think you’ve sprained your ankle, contact your foot and ankle surgeon for an appointment as soon as possible. In the meantime, immediately begin using the “R.I.C.E.” method—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation—to help reduce swelling, pain, and further injury.
Why Prompt Medical Attention Is Needed:
There are four key reasons why an ankle sprain should be promptly evaluated and treated by Dr. Majewski:
First, an untreated ankle sprain may lead to chronic ankle instability, a condition marked by persistent discomfort and a ‘giving way’ of the ankle. Weakness in the leg may also develop.
Second, there may have been a more severe ankle injury suffered along with the sprain. This might include a serious bone fracture that could lead to troubling complications if it goes untreated.
Third, an ankle sprain may be accompanied by a foot injury that causes discomfort but has gone unnoticed thus far.
Fourth, rehabilitation of a sprained ankle needs to begin right away. If rehabilitation is delayed, the injury may be less likely to heal properly.
If you have further questions or concerns about Ankle Sprain injury, please contact our office for a consultation.
(301) 515 – FEET / (301) 515 3338
