Treating Your Sprained Ankle

Treating Your Sprained Ankle

Do you think you sprained your ankle?

sprained ankle treatmentA sprained ankle is a very common injury. Whether you twisted your ankle while shooting hoops or from stepping off the sidewalk, it’s important that you recognize the symptoms of a sprain so that you can turn to our Carmel and Indianapolis, IN, foot doctor Dr. Jeffrey Agricola as soon as possible. It’s important not to just ignore a sprained ankle, as this can lead to further sprains in the future and chronic instability.

What are the symptoms of a sprained ankle?

A sprained ankle is when one or more ligaments in the ankle have been overstretched or torn. When this happens you will immediately experience pain. Along with pain, you may also notice:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Tenderness
  • Stiffness
  • Reduced range-of-motion
  • The inability to bear weight on the ankle
  • Weakness

In some cases, you may also have heard a popping or snapping sound at the moment of the injury. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then you should turn to our Carmel and Indianapolis, IN, foot doctor who can diagnose your condition and create a treatment plan for you.

How is a sprained ankle treated?

If your sprained ankle is minor than rest and at-home care is all that will be needed. The most common treatment method is better known as RICE:

Rest: The best thing you can do is stay off the ankle until it heals. Depending on the severity of the sprain this can take several weeks. In some cases, our doctor may place your foot in a boot to make it safer and easier to move around without putting much weight on the injury.

Ice: To keep swelling and pain to a minimum it’s important to ice your ankle for at least the first three days after your injury. Remember to always wrap an ice pack in a towel before applying to your bare skin (putting ice directly on bare skin can result in severe burns). Leave the ice on your ankle for no more than 20 minutes. Ice 2-3 times a day.

Compression: Another method for reducing swelling is to wearing compression stockings, which can promote blood flow to the area and also speed up the healing process. Talk to your foot doctor about the best compression stockings to use.

Elevation: Another way to reduce swelling and bruising is to prop your injured foot up above your weight. Do this whenever you are sitting down or resting.

In some cases, physical therapy and rehabilitation will also be advised to restore and restrengthen the muscles, tissues and ligaments in the ankle. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

If you suspect that you or a loved one might have sprained their ankle it’s important that you have a foot doctor that you trust. Here at Prestige Podiatry, we offer two convenient locations in Carmel and Indianapolis, IN. Call us today for quick and comprehensive foot and ankle care!