Medication
After immobilization, traditional therapy can be started focusing initially on improving the range of motion of the ankle followed by strengthening exercises, and neuromuscular training (balance training). High-ankle sprains respond extremely well to taping.
Procedures
If a syndesmotic ankle injury is suspected, the athlete’s lower leg, ankle, and foot should be immobilized and the athlete transported for immediate emergency medical evaluation.
Therapy
In addition to x-rays, the sports medicine physician may also order stress x-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI is a better diagnostic tool for looking at soft tissue injuries including ligament and interosseous membrane tears. Who gets a high ankle sprain?
Self-care
For severe injuries, you may be referred to a specialist in musculoskeletal injuries, such as an orthopedic surgeon or a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. For self-care of an ankle sprain, use the R.I.C.E. approach for the first two or three days: Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
Nutrition
What is the best way to treat a sprained ankle?
What is the initial treatment for a syndesmotic ankle injury?
What kind of XRAY do you get for a sprained ankle?
What kind of Doctor do I See for an ankle sprain?
How do you treat a severely sprained ankle?
TreatmentRest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake. ... Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. ... Elevation.
What is the best medicine for sprained ankle?
Painkillers. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce your immediate pain. You may also benefit from topical pain medicine applications. In most cases, you only need painkillers for a few days to take the edge off the immediate consequences of the injury.
What do you do in physical therapy for a sprained ankle?
Therapeutic Exercises You may begin physical therapy after swelling has subsided and you can walk without significant pain, typically two to three weeks after the injury. Therapy may include mobilizing the ankle joint and stretching the foot to improve range of motion.
How long is recovery for severe ankle sprain?
The recovery time for a sprained ankle varies depending on the severity of your injury. It may take anywhere from two weeks to heal a minor sprain and anywhere from six to 12 weeks to heal a severe sprain.
What is a Grade 3 ankle sprain?
Grade 3: This is a complete tear of the affected ligament(s) with severe swelling and bruising. The ankle is unstable and walking is likely not possible because the ankle gives out and there is intense pain.
How long does a Grade 3 sprain take to heal?
Third degree or grade 3 ankle sprain A third degree sprain is a complete tear, which Sampsell says will take much longer to heal. This sprain will require some patience since you can expect anywhere from 3 to 6 months for recovery.
How do you rehab a Grade 3 ankle sprain?
Treatment OptionsRest your ankle by not walking on it.Ice should be immediately applied. It keeps the swelling down. ... Compression dressings, bandages or ace-wraps immobilize and support the injured ankle.Elevate your ankle above your heart level for 48 hours.
How long is physical therapy for ankle?
Treatment Modalities and Tools for Ankle Rehabilitation Physical therapy usually starts two to four weeks after ankle surgery, with sessions two to three times per week, and often continues for six to eight weeks.
Does physical therapy help torn ligaments?
Regardless of the severity, ligament injuries cannot be cured with rest alone. Physical therapy and surgery are typically the most-recommended treatment options. Physical therapy can help to improve joint movement, relieve pain, and prevent permanent damage to the ligament.
Can you walk grade 3 ankle sprain?
Grade 3 sprain You experience severe swelling and bruising. The joint probably isn't functional because it's too unstable, and movement creates intense pain. If you have a grade 3 sprain in the ankle, for example, walking usually isn't possible.
Why is my ankle still swollen after 3 months?
But swelling that persists for more than three months may be a sign of trouble. The lining of the capsule surrounding a joint is called the synovium, and anything inside the joint that irritates the synovium will cause it to secrete fluid. Swelling inside of a joint is often a sign that something is causing irritation.
Why is my sprained ankle not healing?
Damage to the interior bones, ligaments, and cartilage can cause the ankle to not heal properly. Scar tissue or trapped fluid can also cause persistent pain. A visit to your foot specialist to undergo physical imaging and diagnostics is needed to find the proper treatment plan as every injury is different.
What Is A Syndesmosis Joint?
A high ankle sprain usually occurs in combination with medial ligament injuries and/or distal tibia/fibula fractures. They are significant injuries...
Signs and Symptoms of A High Ankle Sprain
The difficulty with these types of injuries is that they are often associated with severe lateral or medial ankle sprains or fibular fractures. How...
Diagnosing A High Ankle Sprain
Because syndesmotic sprains can be associated with lateral ligament injuries, medial ligament injuries, and fractures of the fibula, x-rays of the...
Who Gets A High Ankle Sprain?
The incidence of a high ankle sprains has been reported to be as much as 10% of all ankle sprains. However, many times they go undiagnosed because...
Causes of High Ankle Sprain
The more serious ankle injuries often occur when an athlete lands on the foot of another athlete when returning back to the ground from a jump. The...
How Can I Help Prevent A High Ankle Sprain?
Because a high ankle sprain is a severe ankle injury, preventing a syndesmotic injury can follow the same principles as preventing a regular ankle...
High Ankle Sprain Treatment
Although the treatment for a high ankle sprain follows the same principles as the treatment for a regular ankle sprain, the time frame may be much...
High Ankle Sprain Recovery Time and Returning to Sport
It is important to understand that because the structures involved in a syndesmotic sprain can lead to instability of the primary ankle joint, reha...
Common Ankle Injuries: How To Treat A Sprained Ankle
Around the house, on the playing field, or somewhere in between, many of us will suffer a sprained ankle or two in our lifetime. In fact, it’s been estimated that approximately 28,000 Americans sprain an ankle each day.
Sprained Ankle Symptoms: How Do You Know If You Have A Sprained Ankle?
First, it’s important to understand the structure of the ankle. The ankle joint is made of three bones: the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. A set of strong, fibrous tissues known as ligaments connect the various bones of the ankle to one another. Together, these ligaments support the joint during movement and provide stability.
High Ankle Sprains, Low Ankle Sprains, And Chronic Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are classified as either high ankle sprains or low ankle sprains. The difference between a high and low ankle sprain is determined by which ligaments are damaged during the injury.
The Brostrom Procedure And Chronic Sprained Ankle Surgery
There are many ankle sprain treatment options available and, depending on the injury, surgery may be recommended for optimal results. After repeated ankle sprains, the surrounding ligaments (namely the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament) may become loose due to overstretching.
How To Prevent Ankle Sprains
To minimize the risk of chronic injury, it’s best to have a proactive strategy in place both on and off the playing field — prevention is the best sports medicine, after all. One of the easiest ways to prevent ankle sprains during athletic activity is by simply wearing appropriate equipment for the sport or activity at hand.
How to heal a sprained ankle?
Most ankle sprains need only a period of protection to heal. The healing process takes about four weeks to six weeks. The acronym R.I.C.E is a good way to remember what to do: 1 Rest your ankle by not walking on it. 2 Ice should be immediately applied. It keeps the swelling down. It can be used for 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times per day. 3 Compression dressings, bandages, or ace-wraps immobilize and support the injured ankle. 4 Elevate your ankle above your heart level as much as possible for the first 48 hours.
How long does it take for an ankle sprain to heal?
Most ankle sprains need only a period of protection to heal. The healing process takes about four weeks to six weeks. The acronym R.I.C.E is a good way to remember what to do:
What happens when you sprain your foot?
When a ligament is forced to stretch beyond its normal range, a sprain occurs. A severe sprain causes actual tearing of the elastic fibers. When a sprain occurs, you may fall or be unable to stand on that foot. You may even hear a “pop.”. Pain and swelling will occur.
How to tell if ankle sprain is a sprain?
Your doctor may be able to tell you the grade of your ankle sprain based upon the amount of swelling, pain, and bruising.
What is the best exercise for ankle pain?
Electrical stimulation. Active range of motion exercises or controlled movements of the ankle joint without resistance. Water exercises if land-based strengthening exercises, such as toe-raising, are too painful. Lower extremity exercises and endurance activities as tolerated. Proprioception training.
How to help a broken ankle?
Ice should be immediately applied. It keeps the swelling down. It can be used for 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times per day. Compression dressings, bandages, or ace-wraps immobilize and support the injured ankle. Elevate your ankle above your heart level as much as possible for the first 48 hours.
How long does it take to heal a swollen ankle?
Phase 1 – 1 Week – Resting, protecting the ankle, and reducing swelling. Phase 2 – 1 to 2 Weeks – Restoring range of motion, strength, and flexibility. Phase 3 – Weeks to Months – Gradually returning to activities that do not require turning or twisting the ankle and doing maintenance exercises.
What is a sprained ankle?
A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments are forced beyond their normal range of motion. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury.
When does a sprained ankle occur?
December 21, 2020. A sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way, stretching or tearing the tough bands of tissue, or ligaments, that help hold your ankle bones together.
What sports have ankle injuries?
Ankle injuries occur commonly in sports in which quick changes of direction are required (i.e., soccer, handball) or in which athletes need to jump and land in and around multiple athletes (rebounding in basketball, blocking in volleyball).
How to reduce the incidence of ankle injuries?
The following can be done by the athlete to try to reduce the incidence of ankle injuries: • Maintain strong ankle muscles by strengthening them regularly with ankle band exercises performing 3 sets of 10 repetitions in all four ankle directions. • Wear proper, well-fitted shoes appropriate for the sport.
What is a high ankle sprain?
A high ankle sprain is a significant injury and can sideline an athlete much longer than a typical ankle sprain. Ankle injuries are one of the most common injuries in sports constituting approximately 10% of all acute injuries that are treated by physicians. A sprained ankle can occur on the lateral side of the ankle which is (most common), the medial side of the ankle (least common) or can occur as a syndesmotic sprain when the ligaments between the distal tibia and fibula are injured, also known as a high ankle sprain.
How long does it take to recover from a sprain ankle?
ALL ANKLE SPRAINS ARE NOT THE SAME. Recovery from a mild ankle sprain may take several days whereas recovery from a severe high ankle sprain may take several months. In contrast, recovery from a partial syndesmosis rupture may take several months whereas recovery from a full rupture may take up to six months.
What happens when you twist your ankles in a ski accident?
Syndesmotic injuries can also occur in skiing accidents when the foot is stabilized in the boot and the body rotates as during a fall when the bindings do not release. The force of the body twisting initially tears the ankle ligaments.
Which side of the ankle is most common?
A sprained ankle can occur on the lateral side of the ankle which is (most common), the medial side of the ankle (least common) or can occur as a syndesmotic sprain when the ligaments between the distal tibia and fibula are injured, also known as a high ankle sprain.
What material should ankle braces be made of?
Ankle braces made of only neoprene or other soft material do not provide enough support to prevent additional injuries.
Ricardo E. Colberg, M.D
Ankle sprains are the single most common injury in high school sports, accounting for one in six of all high school sports-related injuries. Rehabilitation and recovery varies depending on the level of the sprain.
Grade I
Grade I injuries stretch the outside ligament. This causes pain on the outside of the ankle with mild swelling and difficulty walking, but no bruising. Symptoms usually resolve within three days, and the athlete may return to participation as long as he or she is pain free.
Grade II
Grade II sprains involve a partial tear of the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and a full tear of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). This degree of sprain limits the ability to walk, creates instability and causes local bruising and swelling.
Grade III
Furthermore, Grade III injuries involve the complete tear of both the ATFL and the CFL and prohibit weight bearing on the injured leg. Severe diffuse bruising and swelling will develop. Finally, high ankle sprains create pain on both the inside and outside of the ankle.
Respond With R.I.C.E
In order to recover most efficiently, it is essential athletes begin treating ankle sprains upon the time of injury, regardless of severity. Athletes can respond by following the R.I.C.E. acronym: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Rest is a critical component, as it allows the body time to heal naturally.
What's Next?
Although most athletes fully recover from ankle sprains with no long-term problems, athletes need to take proactive measures to avoid these injuries. Developing good habits can alleviate unwanted pain and weeks on the sidelines. Encourage athletes to warm up on flat surfaces before engaging in any sports activity.
What to do if ankle sprain is too severe?
Once the swelling and pain is lessened enough to resume movement, your doctor will ask you to begin a series of exercises to restore your ankle’s range of motion, strength, flexibility, and stability.
What to do if you sprained your ankle while exercising?
If you sprained your ankle while exercising or participating in a sport, talk to your doctor about when you can resume your activity. Your doctor or physical therapist may want you to perform particular activity and movement tests to determine how well your ankle functions for the sports you play.
What is a sprained ankle?
Ankle sprain. A sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist, or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that help hold your ankle bones together. Ligaments help stabilize joints, preventing excessive movement. A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments are forced ...
What causes your ankle to twist?
A fall that causes your ankle to twist. Landing awkwardly on your foot after jumping or pivoting. Walking or exercising on an uneven surface. Another person stepping or landing on your foot during a sports activity. Signs and symptoms of a sprained ankle vary depending on the severity of the injury. They may include:
How to heal a swollen ankle?
Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling, or discomfort. Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you’re awake .
What happens when you touch your ankle?
They may include: Pain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot. Tenderness when you touch the ankle. Swelling. Bruising. Restricted range of motion. Instability in the ankle. Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of your injury.
Anatomy of an ankle sprain
The most common type of ankle sprain is an inversion injury, or lateral ankle sprain. The foot rolls inward, damaging the ligaments of the outer ankle — the anterior talofibular ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament, and the posterior talofibular ligament. (Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissue that connect bone to bone; see illustration.)
When to see your doctor
Unless your symptoms are mild or improving soon after the injury, contact your clinician. He or she may want to see you immediately if your pain and swelling are severe, or if the ankle feels numb or won't bear weight.
How to strengthen your ankle after a sprain
To recover from an ankle sprain fully, you'll need to restore the normal range of motion to your ankle joint and strengthen its ligaments and supporting muscles.
