Ankle sprain is an ankle injury that is often caused by an accident that causes the ankle to twist, causing the ligaments that hold the bones between the ankle and the leg to become more tight than normal or torn. When an ankle sprain occurs, the body is unable to move the ankle normally. Patients with a sprained ankle can treat their symptoms at home or see a doctor for examination and treatment. The steps and methods of treatment depend on the severity of the sprain.
Symptoms of a sprained ankle
- Pain in the sprained ankle, especially when putting weight on the foot or when pressure is applied.
- Swollen ankle
- The sprained ankle has a bruise or the skin in that area has changed color.
- The sprained ankle becomes tight and cannot move normally.
- Sometimes, patients may hear a ligament snapping sound during an ankle sprain.
If patients experience any symptoms of a sprained ankle, they can treat the symptoms by consulting a pharmacist and buying medicine from a general drugstore or by seeing a doctor for a diagnosis to be certain and prevent injuries that may be more dangerous and severe than a sprained ankle.
Patients can observe symptoms that are dangerous signs and should see a doctor immediately for treatment, such as:
- Severe swelling and pain in the ankle area
- There are various symptoms of a sprained ankle, but the most severe symptoms are those that may lead to a fracture or severe ligament tear.
Causes of ankle sprain
A sprained ankle is caused by a twisted ankle or an accident that causes the ankle to be in an abnormal position, causing the ligaments that connect the ankle to the leg bone to become tight or torn.
Risk factors that increase the chance of having an ankle sprain include:
- Misstep or fall
- Dropping down at the wrong time from a jump or spin
- Running or walking on rough surfaces
- Wearing socks or shoes that do not fit your feet
- Exercises or sports that may cause accidents that can cause ankle sprains, such as playing tennis, basketball, or football.
- Being overweight or overweight can increase your risk of accidents that can lead to ankle sprains.
- Have you ever had an accident or had an ankle injury?
Diagnosis of ankle sprain
When a patient suspects that they have a sprained ankle and sees a doctor, the doctor will initially perform a physical examination by grasping, moving, and pressing the ankle area to check for ankle movement and areas that are causing the patient pain.
If the injury is severe, the doctor may recommend that the patient have an ankle scan to diagnose the symptoms using an internal imaging scan that will more clearly identify possible damage to the bones, muscles, and tendons in the ankle joint so that the doctor can plan the appropriate treatment.
The doctor may have the patient undergo additional examinations using the following methods:
- X-ray is a procedure that uses an X-ray machine to pass through the patient’s ankle and project images of the internal structure of the ankle bone for diagnosis.
- Acomputerized tomography scan ( CT scan ) is a procedure that uses a CT scan to take X-rays of the ankle and then have the computer create detailed images of the ankle bones, tissues, and tendons.
- MagneticResonance Imaging ( MRI Scan ) is a scan that uses an MRI machine to send radio waves through an electromagnetic field. An attached computer will then create images of the structure and details of the damaged tissues inside the ankle.
Treatment of sprained ankle
The treatment method for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury. However, in general, if the sprain is not severe, the patient may be able to relieve symptoms at home within about 7-10 days using various methods, such as:
- Take medication. If the patient is in pain from a sprained ankle, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol , ibuprofen, or naproxen to relieve the pain.
- Wrap the sprained ankle. Wrap an elastic bandage around the sprained ankle to reduce swelling. Keep the bandage on until the swelling goes down, being careful not to wrap it too tightly around the ankle to prevent circulation problems.
- Cold compress: Use an ice pack or a cloth soaked in cold water and apply it to the sprained ankle for 15-20 minutes and repeat every 2-3 hours, about 3-4 times/day on the first day of the sprain. After that, apply cold compresses every 3-4 hours for the next 2 days. However, if the patient has a chronic disease or is suffering from a blood vessel disease, diabetes, or sensory nerve disease, they should consult a doctor before receiving treatment with this method.
- Elevate your ankle. You should elevate your ankle or use a pillow to support it so that it is above your heart level while lying down. This is because gravity helps excess fluids drain from the injured area, which can reduce swelling.
- Rest: To allow your injured ankle to recover, get enough rest and avoid activities that add weight, pressure, or impact that could aggravate the injury.
Treatment when seeing a doctor
If the patient has severe symptoms, it may take several weeks to heal and recover. The patient should see a doctor to determine if the symptoms are severe and involve the bones or other tissues. The doctor may have the following treatment methods and recommend the following steps:
In addition to using an elastic bandage around the ankle, the doctor may have the patient use an ankle brace or a cane to support the body while moving.
Treatment After the swelling and injury have disappeared, the patient may need to do some exercises, especially ankle exercises, to increase the strength, flexibility of the tendons and muscles, and to train their balance to return to normal under the guidance of a doctor.
Procedures If the swelling and pain from a sprained ankle are persistent or do not subside, the doctor may refer the patient to a bone and muscle specialist. The patient may need to wear a splint or a walking boot until the patient’s symptoms improve and they can walk normally again.
Surgery: Although very rare, your doctor may consider surgery to treat a sprained ankle if the sprain has not been treated with other methods or if the sprain has severely damaged the ligaments and muscles in the area.
Your doctor may consider surgery to treat a sprained ankle depending on the severity of your symptoms, such as:
- Arthroscopy : The surgeon operates by looking through an arthroscopic camera at areas of bone or cartilage that may be broken or damaged.
- Tendon reconstruction : A surgeon will perform surgery to repair the damaged and tight tendons. The surgeon may use nearby tendons, joints, or muscles to repair the damaged tendon tissue.
Post-operative recovery After surgery, patients may need several weeks or months to recover. Patients should take care of themselves and recuperate under strict doctor’s advice. Come to see the doctor for check-ups and follow-up appointments. Exercise the ankle, exercise , or do physical therapy as recommended by the doctor.
Complications of ankle sprain
If an ankle sprain is left untreated, these symptoms can lead to more serious complications, such as chronic pain, chronic ankle ligament instability, and an increased risk of arthritis.
Ankle sprain prevention
- Warm up your body before exercising or playing sports.
- Be careful while walking, running, performing activities or working on rough surfaces.
- Take a break or slow down the activity if you start to feel tired.
- Wear socks and shoes that fit your feet and are appropriate for the activity you are doing.
- Avoid wearing high heels because they pose a risk of falling and causing injury.
- Do not play sports or do activities that you are not good at or that are not suitable for you.
- Exercise regularly to improve body movement and balance.
- Exercise muscles and tendons in various parts of the body to maintain muscle strength and flexibility.
- If you have a sprained ankle or suspect that you may have a sprained ankle, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to get effective treatment.
