Ankle sprain is a common injury which usually results when the ankle is twisted or (inverted) turned in. The word sprain means injury to the ankle's soft tissues, usually the ligaments.
Causes
- Twisting injury
- Trauma
- Inappropriate alignment
- Sports injury
- Fall with twisted ankle
- Landing awkwardly on your foot after jumping or pivoting.
- Walking or exercising on an uneven surface.
Symptoms
- Pain
- Giving way sensation
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Inability to put weight on the affected ankle
- Night pain
- Stiffness
- Restricted movement
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Skin discoloration
Treatment
Conservative
- Rest: The injured tissues in the ankle need time to heal. Crutches will prevent too much weight from being placed on the ankle.
- Ice: Applying ice can help ease pain and may reduce swelling.
- Compression: Gentle compression pushes extra swelling away from the ankle. This is usually accomplished by using an elastic wrap.
- Elevation: Supporting your ankle above the level of your heart helps control swelling.
Physiotherapy
- Treatments for physical therapy are likely to be undertaken to help improve joint mobility, strength, and stability of the joints.