Pain in the Ankle...

Is the most common injury complaint, probably because everyone is at risk. You can sprain an ankle just walking to your mailbox.

The vast majority of sprains are caused by the foot turning inward, straining the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, or an "inversion sprain." Some sprains can be treated at home, but fairly often they're bad enough to require medical attention.

You know when you've sprained your ankle.. there is pain, the joint is tender, and it is swelling. Usually quite quickly. Sprains are graded based on their severity. A mild sprain is when the ligaments are just stretched and strained. A moderate sprain is when the ligaments are partially torn.  And a severe sprain is when the ligaments are completely torn, and not able to control the ankle.

If the pain and swelling are moderate, and you can put weight on your ankle, your sprain is probably mild. If you heard a popping sound, your ankle looks distorted, or the swelling is substantial and the skin discolored, then you should seek medical attention right away.

Chances are, you'll be referred into physical therapy where your therapist will work with you to restore mobility to your ankle joint.

Learn more about Manual Therapy.  Learn more about other therapies we use.

Treatment

If ankle pain lasts more than a few days, you should call your doctor. If there is deformity or extreme pain you should seek help immediately. Otherwise, it is recommended that you ice, elevate, and wrap an ankle sprain (tightly enough to reduce swelling and provide support using an ace or elastic bandage... not so tightly you cut off circulation!). But most importantly... it is recommended you rest.  Keep the ankle elevated and stay off it so it has a chance to recover.  Chances of re-injuring a sprained ankle are substantial, so work on building up flexibility and strength before pushing that joint.

Prevention

The best way to prevent an ankle injury is to keep your calf muscles stretched and flexible and to build strength in the ankles.  A recent study by the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center shows conclusively that even short duration strengthening and stretching exercises can have a significant impact on injury prevention, specifically in youth (the participants in the study).  Personalized PT customizes exercise and stretching programs to fit your needs, to both repair and prevent injury. Contact us to arrange a consultation.

Meanwhile, protect your ankles from injury by wearing appropriate and supportive footwear, stretching your calf muscles, and doing simple exercises... such as walking on your heels with your toes in the air for a few minutes, to strengthen your ankles.

Return to Where It Hurts, the Clickable Man!