Ankle Sprain

 

An ankle sprain occurs when you twist your ankle in an abnormal position or degree. Your ankle is supported by many ligaments, which can get stretched and torn resulting in an ankle that is swollen and painful.

 

Ankle sprains may take several weeks to several months to heal. Usually, the more pain and swelling you have, the more severe your ankle sprain is and the longer it will take to heal. It is very important to give your ankle time to heal completely, so that you do not easily hurt your ankle again. Ankle sprains are more likely to occur if you have a history of spraining your ankles.

 

Proper evaluation is key to healing as you need to be further evaluated for further injury including ankle fractures, occasional 5th metatarsal fractures, torn ligaments, ruptured tendons, OCD lesions, and even hematomas. Depending on the extent of secondary injuries, surgical intervention is needed, although uncommon.

 

There are three grades for ankle:

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• Grade 1: Stretching or slight tearing of ankle ligament.

  •  Symptoms include mild tenderness, swelling and stiffness.

  • Ability to bear weight with minimal pain

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• Grade 2:  severe sprain with incomplete tear

  • moderate pain with swelling and bruising.

  • Very difficult to walk due to the pain

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• Grade 3:  complete tear of the affected ankle ligament or ligaments

  • severe swelling and bruising

  • Your ankle is very unstable and walking not possible due to the severe amount of pain.

 

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Poorly treated ankle sprains can lead to future ankle sprains, ankle instability, undiagnosed OCD lesion (damage of the cartilage), reduced activity, and unresolved ankle pain