Ankle sprains are a common injury, affecting nearly 25,000 people each day. In other words, one in every 1,000 Americans will suffer from an ankle sprain at some point in their lives. Sprain recurrence is also fairly common. In fact, people are more likely to re-injure their ankles within a year of the first sprain.
But What Exactly Is An Ankle Sprain?
A sprained ankle is an injury that results from any kind of accident or physical activity that makes the ankle turn or twist in an awkward way. This ankle movement can cause your ankle ligaments to stretch beyond their limits and tear (partially or completely).
Most sprained ankles are caused by injuries to the lateral ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. If left untreated, new injuries to an old ankle sprain might cause long-term flexibility and mobility problems.
You should seek immediate medical attention if:
- You experience pain when putting weight on the injured foot
- There is severe swelling or bruising
- You feel a popping sensation or hear a popping sound at the time of your ankle injury
Make your orthopedic doctor aware of what you were doing when you suffered this new injury to an old ankle sprain. The doctor will then physically examine your ankle and may take an x-ray, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or ultrasound to ensure that no bones were fractured.
Treating Your Old Sprained Ankle
Most old sprained ankle injuries are minor injuries that do not require surgical intervention and can be treated with a rehabilitation program (more on that in a while.) Depending on how badly you have sprained your ankle, your sprain will be classified as:
Grade 1 (Mild)
Follow the R.I.C.E.—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation—method for a Grade 1 sprain:
- REST: Give your injured ankle a break by not walking on it. If necessary, use crutches. If there is no fractured bone, you can walk more freely. While the ligaments recover, ankle braces and supports can help minimize swelling (or “edema”) and improve ankle stability.
- ICE: Apply ice to the injured ankle for 10 to 20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. Do not apply ice straight to the skin, though. Instead, place a towel between the ice or cold pack and your skin.
- COMPRESSION: Compress (or wrap the injured ankle with an elastic bandage) to control swelling and use a removable plastic device such as a cast-boot or air stirrup-type brace to provide support.
- ELEVATION: Elevate the injured ankle on pillows whenever you sit or lie down.
Your ankle swelling should subside in a few days if you use the R.I.C.E. method.
Grade 2 (Moderate)
Follow the usual R.I.C.E. method for a Grade 2 sprain and allow more time for healing. Your sprained ankle may be immobilized or splinted by your orthopedic doctor.
Grade 3 (Severe)
A Grade 3 sprain increases the risk of developing chronic ankle laxity (loose or unstable ankle joints). Your orthopedic doctor may recommend a short leg cast or a fracture and cast boot for 2 to 3 weeks. Surgery may be required in rare cases to correct the injury.
Medication
If you are not taking any prescription pain relievers, get an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and swelling in your ankle. Take precautions when handling medications and do not forget to read and follow all of the label’s instructions.
Rehabilitation After A Sprained Ankle
Every sprained ankle requires rehabilitation. Anything other than that, and your injured ankle may not fully heal, and you may end up re-injuring it. Mild to severe, all ankle sprains require three stages of rehabilitation:
- Phase 1: Resting, protecting, and minimizing swelling of your injured ankle.
- Phase 2: Increasing the flexibility, range of motion, and strength of your ankle.
- Phase 3: Gradually resume straight-ahead activity and maintenance exercises.
Recovery time will vary depending on the grade of the sprain. With grade 1 sprains, healing should occur in 1 to 3 days while grades 2 and 3 heal in about 2 to 6 weeks. However, more severe sprains can take as long as four months! Your orthopedic doctor may advise you to wear ankle braces or supports during the healing period to protect the ligaments and prevent re-injury.
Once you have no trouble putting weight on your ankle at all, your orthopedic doctor will recommend some exercise routines to strengthen your ankle muscles and ligaments while also improving your flexibility, balance, and coordination. These may include:
- Range of motion (ROM) exercises to move the injured ankle joint as far as possible in all directions.
- Stretching exercises to maintain flexibility in your Achilles tendon (heel cord) while your ankle heals.
- Strength workout to help improve your ankle’s strength and flexibility.
- Exercises to improve your body’s balance to help your foot and ankle respond to exercises, reducing the risk of re-injury. You can start with these exercises when you can stand comfortably without any pain.
It is important to complete your rehabilitation program because it helps you avoid the risk of injuring the same ankle again. If you do not complete your rehabilitation, you may develop chronic ankle pain, chronic ankle joint instability, and arthritis in the ankle joint.
To prevent sprained ankles in the future, pay close attention to your body’s red flags, slow down when you feel discomfort or exhaustion, and maintain proper muscle balance, flexibility, and strength.