This post was written by Dr. Melanie Kocevar, PPG - Podiatry Huntington.
Ankle sprains are very common injuries. They occur when you twist or roll your ankle and damage the ligaments. This type of injury often heals on its own, but in some cases may require additional evaluation. In this post, we'll cover when it's appropriate to see a specialist and proper techniques to minimize reinjury.
Cause
Sprains are so common because they can happen at any time. They may occur during high-impact activities such as running or jumping, or even during simple actions like stepping off a curb incorrectly or tripping into a hole on an uneven surface.
Once you have an ankle sprain, there is a higher risk of recurrent sprain, but this risk decreases with proper treatment. These individuals have the highest rate of ankle sprains:
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Athletes who engage in high-impact activities such as basketball or tennis.
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Those who perform sports on uneven surfaces such as trail runners or soccer players.
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People with hypermobility or other connective tissue disorders
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Children and teens, due to ongoing growth spurts and higher physical activity rates.
Seeking care
People with ankle sprains often hear a “pop” and develop significant bruising and swelling, so they are often mistaken for fractures. If your pain is mild and you can put some weight on your foot, you can typically treat your sprain at home.
Seek medical care if:
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Ankle pain lasts more than a few days or worsens
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You are unable to bear weight on the foot due to severe pain
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Swelling and bruising persist or worsen
It is important that you see a podiatrist or another foot and ankle specialist to have the area X-rayed, rule out fractures and receive proper treatment to avoid long-term complications.
Sometimes, additional imaging, such as an MRI scan, may be necessary to ensure you didn’t fully tear the ligament, as this can require surgical intervention.
Recovery
You must allow your body time to properly recover from ankle sprains, as they can lead to long-term problems such as balance issues and instability.
Initially, you should use the common “RICE” technique:
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Rest
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Ice
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Elevate
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Compress
Immobilization and physical therapy may also be essential for your recovery depending on the severity of the injury. Once your primary care provider determines that it is safe to do so during the healing process, early mobilization is also vital to restoring proprioception (awareness of your body in space) and to preventing long-term stiffness and scar tissue.
Prevention
The best way to prevent sprains is to wear good supportive shoe gear, work on strength training for your core, hips and ankles to maintain good balance and proprioception and ensure an adequate warm-up before high-impact activities (such as running and jumping). For some populations at higher risk, taping or bracing may be necessary for high-impact sports activity.
Sources
Doherty C, Delahunt E, Caulfield B, Hertel J, Ryan J, Bleakley C. The incidence and prevalence of ankle sprain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective epidemiological studies. Sports Med. 2014 Jan;44(1):123-40. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0102-5. PMID: 24105612.
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