An ankle sprain occurs when one or multiple ligaments of the ankle tear, and can be the result of such actions as falling, being involved in an auto accident, taking a wrong step, participating in strenuous activities and more. A ligament tear can be partial or complete, but you need to see a doctor so they can figure out the extent of the damage and recommend a course of treatment. For a better understanding, let’s take a few minutes to find out from a physiotherapist in Brampton what an inversion ankle sprain is, and how to treat this type of injury.
What is an ankle sprain?
Sprained ankles are considered one of the most common types of sports injuries among all age groups. Additionally, ankles are some of the parts of the body that are most likely to get re-injured—especially when someone with a sprain doesn’t follow through with rehabilitation. Most sprained ankle cases are diagnosed as inversion ankle sprains, which is when the ankle rolls inward under your entire body weight. The result ranges from minor to major damage to the ligaments on the outside of your ankle.
The main causes of sprains are a sudden twist or rolling action of the ankle, and these can occur during contact or non-contact situations. And while the sprains tend to damage the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle, muscles, tendons, bones and nerves can also sustain injury.
Signs and symptoms
The most likely spots where you will feel pain from a sprained ankle are around the ankle joint and on the outside of the ankle. It’s crucial that you take weight off of the ankle right away, as swelling and bruising may not show up immediately—swelling can take up to 48 hours to present—but you are well aware of the presence of pain. Milder sprain cases may not have physical signs, but you should still keep weight off the ankle for a while. Ankle sprains are classified as Grade 1, 2 or 3, based on the severity of the injury.
Acute management and treatment
The first thing you need to do after spraining your ankle is to compress, elevate and ice it. Let the ankle rest and make sure to protect it from further injury. Applying a compression wrap and cold therapy for 10 minutes at a time every hour can reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. You should wear an ankle support until the ligaments have healed.
For more severe ankle sprains, you need to see a doctor or professional physical therapist for injury rehabilitation and treatment options. It is especially important for athletes to see a doctor for ankle injuries to ensure proper healing before going back to playing sports and further risking re-injury and permanent after-effects.
No matter your age, any type of ankle sprain is going to be unpleasant. If you suspect that you have a sprained ankle, don’t wait too long to see a medical professional for a diagnosis. The key to a quick and proper recovery is to seek treatment as soon as possible. Contact the skilled staff at Paramount Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries Clinic today to meet with an experienced physiotherapist in Brampton!