Have you ever been walking and slipped or tripped for no apparent reason, twisting your ankle? Annually, it is estimated that one million people in the United States alone visit a podiatrist about an acute ankle injury. A sprained ankle or twisted ankle is a common cause of ankle pain. A sprain involves the stretching and or tearing of ligaments with the most common being an inversion sprain, where the ankle turns over so the sole of the foot faces inward, damaging the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Some ankle sprains are worse than others, depending on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn, or completely torn, as well as on the number of ligaments involved in the sprain. Anything that makes the ankle 'tip over' increases the chance of an ankle sprain. This can occur in sports, walking on uneven surfaces, twisting motions and an array of others. The sooner treatment starts for a sprained ankle, the greater chance to prevent chronic pain and long term instability. Causes and Symptoms A sprained ankle often results from a fall, sudden twist, or a blow that forces the ankle joint out of its normal position. Ankle sprains commonly occur while participating in sports, wearing inappropriate shoes, or walking or running on uneven surfaces. Ankle sprains can sometimes occur because a person is born with weak ankles in addition to previous ankle or foot injuries that weaken the ankle. Symptoms of an ankle sprain may include: Stiffness of the joint Bruising Swelling Pain or soreness Difficulty walking The symptoms of ankle sprains may vary in intensity, depending on the severity of the sprain and the cause. Pain and swelling can also be absent in people with previous ankle sprains. Rather than feeling pain, they may feel that their ankle is wobbly and unsteady when they walk. Even if there is no pain present, treatment is crucial. Treating your Sprained Ankle When you sprain your ankle, rehabilitation is important and should begin at the discretion of your podiatrist. Your podiatrist in Brooksville may recommend following the conservative treatment of RICE, which is: Rest your ankle Ice - To help keep swelling down Compression - An elastic wrap may be recommended to control swelling. Elevation - The ankle should be slightly raised above the level of your heart to reduce swelling as well. In more severe cases, surgery may be required to adequately repair and tighten the damaged ligaments. To prevent ankle sprains, try to maintain strength, balance, and flexibility in the foot and ankle through exercise and stretching, in addition to wearing supportive shoes. If you have sprained your ankle, visit your podiatrist in Springhill for further treatment and diagnosis. If not properly treated, ankle sprains may develop into long-term problems, so start prevention now.
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