Ankle Sprains are painful.
Sprained ankles are a very frequent and excruciatingly painful condition that is typically brought on by an accident or injury sustained while participating in sports.
Many people sometimes wrongly think that their ankle is fractured and seek to get it X-rayed at the hospital. However, as long as you don’t overexert yourself, sprained ankles normally recover effectively over a few days or weeks, despite their appearing swollen and bruised.
Ligaments are flexible yet incredibly strong bands of connective tissue. By joining the bones in your feet and ankles, they provide support for your joints.
Imagine them like elastic bands; they can only be stretched so far before breaking.
Fortunately, we have a plethora of expertise in treating patients who have had this complex injury.
Various forms of Sprained Ankle
By the seriousness of the injury, sprained ankles are divided into three categories:
When a ligament overstretches, it causes a slight sprain known as a grade 1. You should be able to put enough weight on it to walk despite how uncomfortable and swollen it is.
A grade 2 sprain, which is a significant sprain, indicates that the ligament has been overstretched to the point that it is partially torn. There will be a significant amount of swelling and bruising, and you might or might not be able to put enough weight on it to walk.
The ligament is fully ripped or disconnected, which results in a grade 3 sprain, the most severe kind of sprain. The discomfort will prevent me from walking or putting any weight on it,
The ligament is entirely torn or disconnected when a sprain of a grade 3 severity occurs. Due to the pain, bruising, and swelling, walking or applying any weight on it will be impossible, and it may take several months for it to recover completely.
Signs & Symptoms of a sprained ankle
These differ from person to person and depend on the manner and degree of the sprain. Symptoms often include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- An inability to stand or bear weight on one foot
- An unpleasant sound, such as ripping or popping, when the damage occurred.
A series of sessions with a physiotherapist may be helpful if your damaged ankle doesn’t heal on its own.
The main goals of treatment for a sprained ankle are to lessen the discomfort and minimize the swelling. It also enables you to move about more freely while providing a long-term strategy for ongoing care. You must heed the counsel offered and make an effort to be patient because severe sprains might take more than a year to completely recover.
Unfortunately, if left untreated, severe ankle ligament sprains are likely to result in long-term weakness.
Nothing is more unpleasant than having to stop participating in sports and other things you like because you worry your ankle could “go again.”
In addition to assisting with pain management, physical therapy is essential in avoiding future ankle instability.
A physiotherapist will frequently combine multiple various strategies and treatments, depending on your particular needs, including:
• Lower leg exercises for balance and strength
Work on the lower leg’s mobility
• Leg and hip exercises to improve motor control
• Remedial exercise
• Modifications to any training schedule you may have, as well as a strategy to gradually resume exercising
Self-help
It may be incredibly painful and terrifying to sprain your ankle.
You can use a cold compress and elevate the ankle if at all feasible to assist reduce the discomfort and swelling, among other things.
You could also choose to get some medications from the pharmacy or use crutches or another device to support your weight.
Remember that most sprained ankles heal rapidly, even though they are painful, as long as you take it easy.