The ankle is an essential part of the body as it is where the leg and foot meet. It is a joint made up of 3 different bones: the fibula, the talus, and the tibia. Due to the nature of the ankle, the main range of motion for the ankle is up-and-down movements. While the ankle can move from side to side, this motion results from another joint near the ankle. Our ankles are involved in our everyday activities like walking. A sprain is when ligaments are either stretched or torn due to trauma or overuse. An ankle sprain can be very painful and make it extremely difficult to walk and remain active. If you have ankle pain, we recommend that you see our Sports Injury Clinic in Nesconset. Island Sports Physical Therapy has significant experience in helping patients build back strength from injuries. Ankle sprains are common, but that should not stop you from seeking treatment. Physical therapy can help your sprained ankle by promoting stability in the surrounding areas of your foot to relieve the pressure on the ligament that is hurt.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, sprained ankles can have several causes. Some of the most common causes are: rolling/ twisting your ankle, landing awkwardly on your feet after a jump, and walking on broken or uneven surfaces. If you notice any of the following symptoms alone or in combination, it might be time to see a doctor.
- Bruising on and around the ankle
- Ankle instability (difficulty putting and keeping pressure on the ankle)
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Swelling
If you do not address ankle pain, you can permanently damage your ankle. A doctor will likely recommend physical therapy to rebuild strengt
h after an injury like this. Don’t forget to check out our Sports Injury Clinic in Nesconset for all of your ankle injury needs!
Treatment At Sports Injury Clinic in Nesconset
In most cases, a sprained ankle will heal on its own with the help of physical therapy. However, some cases require surgery. It is essential to follow the specific treatment tips below to ensure that your sprained ankle heals:
- Stay off of your Ankle: It is essential to give your ankle time to heal. If you continue to walk on it, it will worsen and lead to more permanent pain/damage. We recommend that you rest and elevate your ankle. If you must get around, use crutches to prevent putting weight on your ankle. Please do not walk on your hurt ankle because it will not heal.
- Ice your Ankle: If you have hurt your ankle, applying ice on and around the inflamed area is crucial. The ice will help prevent more swelling. The quicker you can get ice on your ankle after an injury, the minor swelling you endure.
- Using Compression around the Ankle: Using a bandage or elastic wrap around your ankle can help prevent more swelling. It is essential to wrap the ankle tight, but not too tight that it cuts off circulation.
By following these treatment recommendations from a Sports Injury Clinic in Nesconset, your sprained ankle will get better. We recommend that you also visit our physical therapist’s office. Not only will our Sports Injury Clinic in Nesconset ensure you heal from your injury, but we will also make sure to help prevent an injury like this in the future. Building strength and stability in and around the ankle will help heal and prevent.
Contact Us: Sports Injury Clinic in Nesconset
The Island Sports Physical Therapy team has had years of training and experience for injuries like an ankle sprain. We can help provide the best recommendations and treatment options while promoting prevention in the future. Our Sports Injury Clinic in Nesconset is ready to help, so contact us to make an appointment today!
