An ankle sprain is one of the most common forms of injury sustained by people regardless of whether you are an athlete, old or young. The immediate pain that comes with a sprained ankle can be very intense, and can render one immobile for the first few seconds. However, with proper treatment and care, the ankle can heal well and within no time.
How it occurs
Sprained ankles do not only occur to sportsmen; they can happen to anyone. A misplaced step while climbing a flight of stairs or stepping on an uneven surface while going on an evening run can easily lead to a strain on the ankle.
The analogy behind sprains is that it occurs when the foot is subjected to a sudden twist or roll, forcing it out of its natural position. During this twist, the strong ligaments that provide support to the ankle are stretched beyond their natural abilities, leading to a painful tear. Ligaments, being the strong fibrous tissues that join one bone to another, can only be stretched to a certain amount. Any further stress on the ligaments and there is going to be some form of damage.
Some severe cases could involve the ligaments tearing up completely. This can lead to the instability of the ankle and if this is not checked promptly, it can lead to further damage. Some of the most common activities that can lead to the spraining of the knee include walking and running, falling down awkwardly on one leg, and a sports injury where an opponent accidentally steps or weighs in on the ankle area.
Symptoms of a sprained ankle
The general symptoms that could suggest that an ankle has been sprained include the swelling of the ankle area and a sudden tenderness. The ankle may also be unable to hold the normal body weight, and this may be characterized by some pain when weight is exerted on the ankle. There may also be a shift in color of the ankle area due to overflow in blood supply in that region. These symptoms may vary from one person to another depending on the history of the ankle as well as the lifestyle of the affected individual. The only sure way to know the issue with your ankle is to visit a doctor for further tests.
Examinations
Once at the doctor, there are a number of tests that he or she will carry out to determine the exact problem with the ankle. Among the tests includes palpating and X-ray. Palpating is when the doctor gently applies some pressure on the ankle in a bid to determine the exact ligaments, which are damaged. If the doctor is not able to pin point the exact problem by simply palpating, he or she can perform an X-ray to provide images of the denser structures in the ankle area.
Severe injury to the ligaments or damage to the bone may call for magnetic resonance imagery or MRI scan. The examination will ultimately depend on the type of grades with which the sprained ankle is at, and there are several grades. For example, a mild sprain is characterized by slight, miniature stretching of the ligament fibers. Moderate sprains are usually characterized by tenderness and swelling around the ankle area. The ankle may also move awkwardly and feel loose when the doctor attempts to shift it. Severe sprains are fairly serious, with the ligament experiencing a complete tear. The ankle area is extremely tender, and there is vivid instability when the doctor attempts to move the ankle.
Sprained ankle recovery time and treatment
Depending on the extent of a sprain on the ankle, treatment may either require professional intervention or may be simply treated at home using simplified methods. Most ankle sprains, however, can be treated without surgery. Home treatment is usually most effective when it follows the RICE protocol. This entails taking plenty of rest and avoiding subjecting the ankle to heavy weights. Cooling the affected area with ice may take away some of the pain, while also keeping down the swelling.
Compression is another way to treat the injury by bandaging the affected area. This is helpful in limiting the swelling and unnecessary movement of the ankle. Elevation is a great way to keep the affected area from swelling as it avoids blood build up in the ankle. In addition, one may also take painkillers and anti- inflammatory drugs when the pain proves too much to handle. Depending on the severity of the sprain, one should be able to recover fully and resume daily activities in the period between 8 to 12 weeks.
Surgical treatments are rare, but in cases when the ligaments are severely damaged, they may require an operation, especially if there are any signs of loose fragments of bone.
In summary, the treatment is classified into three stages. The first stage is the relaxation stage where one avoids major movements of the ankle. The second phase entails the re-introduction of some ranges of motion to the ankle to help restore flexibility. Finally, one can perform maintenance exercises to help the ankle movements to return fully to normal.
