An ankle sprain quickly takes you off your feet and changes the course of your routine. That’s why finding treatment is essential. Help is available at Best Foot Forward in Festus and St. Louis, Missouri. If you suffer a sprained ankle, reach out to Franklin Harry, DPM, ABMSP, and Tim Davydov, DPM, ABPM, to schedule a visit. Online booking is available. You’re always welcome to call and speak with an administrative professional regarding appointment availability.
The best way to understand an ankle sprain is to think about the ankle’s anatomy. This complex part of your body is made up of two joints, one that enables up-and-down motion and the other that allows side-to-side motion.
The bones in these joints are connected by ligaments, ropelike bands of tough connective tissue. Muscles and tendons move the joints, and a network of blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues also support ankle function.
An ankle sprain results from your ankle moving abnormally, placing strain on the ligaments that connect the bones of the ankle joint. Ligaments are incredibly strong and durable, but they have very little ability to stretch.
Sudden ankle pain is the primary symptom of a sprained ankle. Some people tell their doctors that they heard a “popping” sound at the time of the injury.
Other symptoms of a sprained ankle include:
The more common causes of a sprained ankle include falls in which the ankle twists abnormally, walking or running on uneven surfaces, and an awkward landing from a jump. If you’ve suffered previous sprained ankles, you have a higher risk of further sprains.
In many cases, you can effectively treat a sprained ankle at home. The RICE method is a great place to start: resting the joint, icing as needed to control swelling, using compression bandaging to support the joint, and elevating the joint.
If you’re in severe pain or your sprain doesn’t heal on its own, you’ll want to schedule a visit with the doctors at Best Foot Forward. As specialists, they’ll assess your sprain and determine if a more advanced treatment is needed.
You might need to use an assistive device like crutches, a cast, or a walking boot to support the joint as it heals. Physical therapy can help you strengthen the joint and improve your balance, which can prevent further sprains.
In some cases, surgery is the only way to fix a sprained ankle. This is especially true in cases where one or more ligaments have significant tearing.
If you’d like an in-depth diagnostic exam for symptoms of a sprained ankle, call the office to set up a visit. You can also spend a few minutes on the online booking page.