Ankle Sprain: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

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July 28, 2022

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What is an ankle sprain?

An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments that surround and connect the bones of the leg to the foot. The injury happens when a person accidentally twists or turns the ankle past its range of motion and boundaries leading to overstretching or tearing of the ligaments. Ankle sprains are common injuries, especially for people who play sports. A doctor can determine the severity of the injury and recommend a proper course of treatment. It can take several weeks or months for a sprained ankle to heal completely.

‍Ankle sprain symptoms

‍Ankle sprains can sustain many different types of injuries. Hence, it is important to see a doctor when facing symptoms. Ankle sprain symptoms include conditions in the ankle like:

Swelling
Tenderness
Bruising
Pain
Inability to put weight in the affected ankle
Skin discoloration
Stiffness

Who is at risk?

‍Factors that increase your risk of experiencing a sprained ankle are if you:

Play sports
Have body balance problems
Wear heels or shoes that don't fit well
Have a previous ankle injury

Ankle sprain causes

‍Anything that stretches your ankle more than it's used to can hurt the ligament, serving as an ankle sprain cause. This usually happens when the foot is turned inward or twisted, such as when a person:

Plants their foot the wrong way when running, stepping up or down, or doing everyday activities.
Steps on an uneven surface, like in a hole
Steps on someone else while playing sports.

How is an ankle sprain diagnosed?

Ankle sprain diagnosis may include the following steps:

Physical exam: The doctor may begin by doing a physical exam of the ankle to determine which ligaments have been affected. The doctor may move the ankle joints in various ways to check for the range of motion of the ankle.
Imaging tests: The doctor may order for ankle sprain test like an X-ray to rule out the possibility of a bone fracture. If the doctor suspects a fracture, a serious injury to the ligaments, or damage to the surface of the ankle joint, he may additionally order for an MRI to do a proper diagnosis.

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‍How is an ankle sprain treated?

‍Mild ankle sprains can be treated at home. Such sprained ankle treatment may include:

using elastic bandages, such as an ACE bandage, to wrap your ankle, but not too tightly
wearing a brace to support your ankle
using crutches if needed
elevating your foot with pillows as necessary to reduce swelling
ankle sprain medicine to manage pain like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken
getting plenty of rest and not putting weight on your ankle
applying ice to the area to reduce swelling

The doctor may ask you to stay off of the injured ankle until the pain subsides. For mild sprains, this may take a week to 10 days, while more severe sprains may take up to several weeks to heal. When the damage to the ligament is severe and there is evidence of instability, or when the injury doesn't improve with non-surgical treatments, ankle sprain cure may be done by performing a surgery. However, such cases are rare. The type of surgery needed will depend on the severity of the ankle sprain and the level of activity of the individual. Surgical options include:

Arthroscopy: the surgeon will look inside the joint to see if there are any loose fragments of bone or cartilage.
Reconstruction: The surgeon will repair the torn ligament with stitches. They may also use other ligaments or tendons around the foot or ankle to repair the damaged ligaments.

Rehabilitation is a crucial step in the surgery recovery process. The patient will need to attend regular follow-up appointments with the doctor as well as complete physical therapy exercises to regain motion and strengthen the muscle about the ankle. The rehabilitation process can take weeks or months, depending upon the severity of the sprain and the type of surgery performed.