Sprained Ankle

Sprained ankles occur when your ligaments go beyond their normal range of motion, causing them to stretch or tear. Common causes of ankle sprains include:

• Falls
• Landing awkwardly after jumping
• Someone else stepping or landing on your foot
• Walking or running over uneven surfaces

People who participate in sports are at greater risk of ankle sprains. Wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly or provide enough support also increases your risk of spraining your ankle. You’ll know immediately know if you’ve sprained your ankle, as it’s painful at the time of injury.

You may hear a popping sound when you sprain your ankle, followed by discomfort or pain. Sprained ankle symptoms may vary depending on the severity of your sprain. Symptoms include:

• Ankle instability
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Bruising
• Swelling

Sprained ankles cause a restricted range of movement, making it difficult to walk normally.

The treatment for sprained ankles depends on the severity of your sprain. Many sprained ankles can be self-treated through RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). You can also try over-the-counter pain relievers with anti-inflammatories, like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.

If after two or three days of RICE therapy your sprained ankle has not improved, call Advanced Foot & Ankle Center for an evaluation.

You may receive a referral for physical therapy, crutches to help you avoid putting weight on the affected ankle, or sports tape or a walking boot to stabilize your ankle while it heals.

Surgery is a treatment for severe sprains or when an ankle sprain doesn’t heal after months of physical therapy and exercise. Sometimes a ligament needs surgical repair or a severely damaged ligament needs reconstruction with tissue from a nearby ligament or tendon.