Sprained Ankle

What is a sprained ankle?

A sprained ankle occurs when you step down awkwardly or twist your ankle beyond its normal range of motion. This causes the ligaments –– tough bands of tissue around your ankle joint –– to overextend and tear, resulting in swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Sprained ankles vary in severity. For some people, they’re a minor annoyance that heals with ice, rest, and elevation. However, you might need surgery if one of the ligaments snaps or tears into pieces.

What are the symptoms of a sprained ankle?

Sprained ankle symptoms include:

• Pain, especially when standing or walking
• Ankle tenderness
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Limited range of motion
• Ankle instability

If you suffer a severe ankle sprain, you might notice a popping or clicking sound at the time of the injury.

When should I see a podiatrist about a sprained ankle?

Contact Alpine Foot and Ankle if you have a swollen, painful ankle and your symptoms continue for more than a few days. This is particularly true if your swelling or bruising doesn’t respond to ice, rest, and other at-home treatments.

How is a sprained ankle diagnosed?

Dr. McCall reviews your medical records and asks about your injury, including when it occurred and the symptoms you’re experiencing. Then, he examines your ankle, checking your skin for redness, bruising, and swelling. Dr. McCall gently presses on your ankle to identify sensitive spots and tests your ankle’s range of motion.

Some ankle sprains can be diagnosed visually, but if Dr. McCall suspects joint damage or a broken bone, he orders X-rays, an ultrasound, or an MRI. These procedures let him assess the severity of your injury and guide treatment.

How is a sprained ankle treated?

Dr. McCall treats sprained ankles using a conservative, minimally invasive approach at Alpine Foot and Ankle. He might suggest:

• Rest, ice, elevation, and compression (RICE)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Wearing a cast or a walking boot
• Physical therapy

Most ankle sprains improve with several of these treatments, but if your injury is severe, Dr. McCall might recommend surgery. Surgery is only needed if your ligament injury won’t heal. Dr. McCall uses a minimally invasive approach to reduce the risk of complications and speed up recovery.

Call the nearest Alpine Foot and Ankle office today to schedule sprained ankle treatment, or book your appointment online.