Ankle Sprains | Ankle Injury | Ankle Pain | Swollen Ankle in Allentown

Ankle sprains are caused by an unnatural twisting or force on the ankle bones of the foot, which may result in excessive stretching or tearing of one or more ligaments on the outside of the ankle. The severity of the ankle sprain can impact the degree of damage as well as the type and duration of treatment. If not properly treated, ankle sprains may develop into long-term problems.

The job of the ligaments is to hold the ankle bones and joint in position. The ligaments protect the ankle joint from extreme movements like twisting, turning, and rolling. But when your foot moves at an extreme angle relative to your ankle, the intense force causes the ligaments on the outside or inside of your ankle to stretch beyond their normal capacity. The damage can be microscopic tearing of the fibers in the ligament, or a complete tear of the ligament. The result is pain, swelling, and bruising.

Ankle sprains are not to be taken lightly, because if left untreated, they’ll weaken the ankle, making it more likely that you’ll injure the ankle again. Repeated sprains lead to arthritis, long term pain, and weakness in the ankle joint.

Ankle sprains come in three grades, based on how badly the ligaments are damaged. Symptoms and treatment vary according to how serious your sprain is.

Symptoms of ankle sprains

• Grade 1: Minimal tenderness and swelling; ankle is stable, but may be painful when bearing weight
• Grade 2: Moderate tenderness and swelling; decreased range of motion; weight bearing is painful; ankle may feel unstable
• Grade 3: Significant tenderness and swelling; inability to bear weight on ankle; ankle will most likely feel unstable

Picture of ankle sprain 1 day after injury (click)

Picture of ankle sprain 2 days after injury (click)

Treatment of ankle sprains

Treatment of all ankle sprains involves rest, icing, and elevating the injured ankle. Over the counter pain medicine is usually sufficient to control pain.

• Grade 1: No immobilization; weight bearing as can be tolerated; physical therapy to strengthen and recondition muscles and soft tissue
• Grade 2: Immobilization; physical therapy
• Grade 3: Immobilization; longer physical therapy than grade 2; surgical reconstruction if necessary

How to avoid ankle sprains

It’s difficult to control circumstances in which you might roll or twist your foot, but you can take some precautions to minimize the damage

• Warm up with stretching exercises before a game or workout
• Wear athletic shoes which are properly fitted and offer excellent support
• Pay attention to surfaces when walking or running
• Pain and fatigue are warning signs – pay attention to them to avoid mistakes