Ankle Sprain

What are the symptoms of an ankle sprain?

Your ankle usually starts to swell immediately and may also bruise. It is tender to touch and hurts when moved. If your sprain is more severe, you may hear or feel a tear, pop or snap. Your pain is probably severe at first. You most likely are unable to walk or even put weight on your foot.

How do you diagnose a sprained ankle?

Dr. Pacheco examines your ankle and asks questions about how your injury occurred. He notes the amount of swelling and bruising and moves the ankle around to evaluate the pain in order to make a diagnosis. He also checks your lower leg and your knee to see if you hurt anywhere else. He also may order an ankle X-ray to rule out any broken bones.

How is a sprained ankle treated?

The RICE approach is commonly used to treat a sprained ankle. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

• Rest -  Use crutches to stay off your ankle. You should give it time to heal.
• Ice - Apply ice packs for 10-20 minutes every hour or two during the day. Do this for the first 24 to 72 hours after your sprain.
• Compression -  Wrap your ankle in an ACE bandage to help reduce the swelling. Do this for the first 24 to 36 hours after your sprain.
• Elevation - To reduce the swelling and bruising, raise your ankle above the level of your heart for two to three hours a day.

Dr. Pacheco may prescribe prescription medications, or you can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce the pain and swelling.

What are risk factors for sprained ankles?

Common risk factors for sprained ankles include participation in sports, walking or running on uneven surfaces, previous ankle injuries, weakness and poor strength, shoes that are ill-fitting or wrong for the activity.

Failure to properly treat a sprained ankle may result in chronic ankle pain, chronic joint instability, and arthritis in the ankle joint.

*Individual results may vary