Sprain Pain
Treatment Tips to Get Back on Your Feet
QUESTION
I twisted my ankle while hiking in the Metroparks. What are the signs of a sprain and how do I treat it?
ANSWER
A typical ankle sprain has tenderness over the injured area, swelling and bruising. After the injury, most patients can walk on the affected foot. However, if you cannot put any weight on your foot because of severe pain, you may not have an ankle sprain but a fracture to one of the bones that makes up the ankle joint. If this is the case, you may need an X-ray of the ankle to look at the anatomy and to determine if there is a fracture.
There are three types of ankle sprains: medial, lateral and syndesmotic “high.” The most common type of sprain affects the lateral ligaments, and the most common ligament to be sprained is the anterior talofibular ligament. This type of injury is usually due to an inversion motion to the ankle and foot — the twisting movement of the foot inward.
Treatment options for an ankle sprain include ice, compression, anti-inflammatory medications, elevation and support bracing. Severe ankle sprains may require a walking boot and crutches. Other treatment options can consist of platelet-rich-plasma injections or prolotherapy to help heal the injured ligament. Rehabilitation from an ankle sprain consists of range-of-motion, strengthening and balancing exercises.
If pain from the injury becomes unmanageable, many believe they need to go to the emergency room. But the ER is primarily designed to serve life-threatening emergencies. An urgent care center may be able to help you, but you will likely be seen by a generalist — not an orthopedic specialist. In both cases, you will walk out with a referral to have a second appointment with a specialist.
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