Ankle Sprain
Ankle sprains are very common. Everybody turns an ankle. A simple twist of the ankle can cause ligaments to stretch or tear, resulting in bruising, swelling, and pain. Ankle sprains range from mild to severe, depending on the amount of damage and the number of ligaments affected.
Causes
Ankle sprains occur for a variety of reasons. Usually, there is a forced or quick shifting movement when you plant your foot. The most common sprain, or inversion injury, happens when the ankle rolls out and the foot turns in causing stretching or tearing of ligaments on the outside of the ankle. An eversion injury happens when the ankle rolls in and the foot turns out affecting the ligaments on the inside of the ankle. A high ankle sprain occurs in either an inversion or an eversion injury when the ligaments above the ankle are injured.
Symptoms
The symptoms of an ankle sprain depend on the severity of the stretch or tear of the ligaments. Common to all sprains are tissue injury and inflammation. Swelling is due to increased fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint. Pain and tenderness are the results of nerve sensitivity. Redness, warmth, and bruising are due to the increase in blood flow to the area. Some ankle sprains are accompanied by a popping sound. There may be a lack of stability when attempting to stand and walk or even a total inability to put weight on the foot or walk.
Diagnosis
With a mild sprain, symptoms usually ease within a few days. To accurately determine the extent of the injury it is best to consult with Dr. Burmeister. He will ask questions about how the injury occurred. He will also want to know if there have been any prior injuries. A physical exam will check the foot, ankle, lower leg, and knee to determine if there are any other injuries. If necessary, Dr. Burmeister will order x-rays to check for broken or dislocated bones. When children are injured, x-rays show if there has been damage to the growth plates in the bones supporting the ankle. As part of the diagnosis, Dr. Burmeister will “grade” the injury according to the following:
Treatment
Treatment for an ankle sprain depends upon its severity. Healing time ranges from six weeks to four months.
Prevention
So who wants an ankle sprain? Who wants a second or third ankle sprain? Nobody in their right mind! That’s where prevention comes into play.