Sprained Ankle: When Is It Time to See a Doctor?

A sprained ankle is a common ankle injury among all people, the young and the old alike. A sprain is when the ligaments are overstretched or torn. It occurs outside of the ankle joint and it might be mild or severe. If you know you will care for the sprained ankle it might heal on its own using a home remedy for sprained ankle,however, it may need high ankle sprain treatment for proper healing. It is not always easy to heal a sprained ankle properly,you may need to visit a foot and ankle specialist to ensure the diagnosis is accurate. A moderate ankle sprain takes one to three weeks to heal, while, a high ankle sprain healing time is several months.

Preventing ankle injuries involves proper conditioning of the foot before a sport. Additionally, warmup before any activity and have enough rest. Always stay hydrated and eat properly before games and practices. All these activities will ensure you maintain flexibility, endurance, and balance. Do not forget, always wear appropriate shoes for the intended activity.

A sprained ankle is not an emergency but improper healing can result inlong-term pain and ankle instability. Some symptoms that suggest that you need to see a Foot doctor for high ankle sprain include:

· Swelling.

· Sudden pull or pain in the ankle during the injury.

· Bruising.

· A popping sound during the injury time.

· Inability to bear weight on the affected foot.

· If the foot is not responding to conservative measures at home.

· If you experience increased pain or swelling.

· Misshaping of the ankle or misalignment of the bone.

· Sudden severe pain.

· The change in foot color to pale or blue.

· The pain of weight bearing after a few days.

· Loss of feeling in your foot.

· Feeling of pins and needles.

Conservative treatment of a sprained ankle

These methods can be used to treat mild to moderate sprained ankles. Use the RICE protocol immediately after you sprain your ankle.

Rest: Minimize bearing weight on the affected foot by standing or walking on it. You can use crutches or walking aids depending on the severity of the sprain.

Ice: Apply ice to the injury to reduce swelling and inflammation. Wrap an ice pack with a cloth and press on the affected foot for 20 to 30 minutes three times a day. Prevent applying the ice directly to the skin.

Compress: Use elastic wraps or tension bandages to support and immobilize the injured ankle. Avoid applying the bandages too tight and keep checking the toes if they have blood circulation. This means that the toes will be warm and red to ensure that blood is circulating.

Elevate: Keep the ankle above the level of the heart, especially during the first 48 hours after the injury. It reduces pain and swelling.

Lastly, you can take over-the-counter medications to decrease pain and swelling.

Minor sprains may heal after a few weeks while moderate and severe ankle sprains take longer to heal. Support and protect the injured ankle to avoid reinjury.