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More than 23,000 people a day seek medical attention for ankle sprains in the United States. A sprained ankle is an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle, and it usually affects the outside of the joint. Ligaments connect bones and bind joints, so damage to them can cause pain and limit ankle movement. This injury is common.
Defining Ankle Sprains
Health professionals divide an ankle sprain into three grades. A Grade 1 sprain involves minor stretching or tearing of a ligament, and it leads to inflammation, tenderness, and swelling. If a person has a Grade 1 sprain, that person can usually walk with minimal pain. A Grade 2 sprain involves a ligament that is torn but not completely; it may cause moderate pain, inflammation, swelling, and bruising. The ankle often feels relatively stable, but walking may be painful. A Grade 3 sprain involves a complete tear of the ligament. This grade often causes severe swelling, inflammation, pain, and bruising, and walking may be extremely uncomfortable or impossible. These grades guide treatment.
Identifying Sprain Symptoms
A sprained ankle can produce several symptoms. People may notice pain, tenderness, bruising, soreness, and joint stiffness, and they may also feel unsteady when they stand or walk. If the injury is more severe, a person may have trouble walking or putting weight on the foot. Some people report only a few symptoms, but others report several because symptom intensity varies with the severity of the sprain. These symptoms can interfere with movement. They can also affect balance and make daily activities more difficult while the ankle heals. Symptoms do not look the same in every case, and they may differ from one person to another because sprains vary in severity.
Treating an Ankle Sprain
Treatment often begins with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This approach reduces inflammation, and it gives the ankle time to heal. The treatment team may also recommend an elastic wrap to control swelling. A person must stay off the ankle while it heals because walking on a sprained ankle can aggravate the injury. Medication may also help. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can reduce inflammation and relieve pain, and they may make recovery easier during the healing period. Physical therapy is another treatment option. A specialist may design a plan that includes exercises and stretches; this plan helps the person regain ankle function and improve range of motion.
Some sprains need more extensive care. Laser therapy may be used to repair damage to soft tissues, and it works by increasing blood flow to injured ligaments. This treatment can help speed the healing process. Severe injuries may require surgery to repair a torn ligament, and rehabilitation begins right away after surgery so the injury heals as expected. Treatment varies by grade. The care team examines the ankle and reviews the medical history, and it may use X-ray imaging or ultrasound to help diagnose the sprain and determine what treatment is needed.
Visit a Clinic
Ankle sprains affect the ligaments that support joint stability. These injuries can range from mild to severe; they may cause pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, soreness, difficulty walking, trouble bearing weight, and unsteadiness. When a sprain occurs, treatment depends on the grade of the injury and the person’s symptoms. Nonsurgical care often includes rest, ice, compression, elevation, medication, and physical therapy, but some severe cases require laser therapy or surgery. Early evaluation helps define the injury. Clear treatment plans support recovery; prompt care helps people return to activity as the ankle heals. Visit a clinic in your area to learn more.
