Ankle sprains are a common injury that can occur from various activities. Unfortunately, most people do not report their ankle sprains for fear of being seen as a hypochondriac or that they will be told to rest and not return to work. However, this is often not the case. Ankle sprains are relatively common. In the United States, an estimated 80 million people have a sprain or strain of their ankle annually that requires some form of treatment and/or physical therapy.
When you sprain your ankle, the ligaments that connect the bones in your ankle are overstretched or torn. This can happen when you twist your ankle or when you land on it after a fall. Most sprains occur in the ligaments on the outside of your ankle.
When this happens, you may feel pain, swelling, and stiffness. The area may also be bruised. You may have difficulty walking or bearing weight on your ankle. Most sprains heal within a few weeks with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). You may also need to wear a brace to support your ankle. Physical therapy may also help improve function and reduce pain.
Causes
Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries people experience. They can occur from a number of causes, including:
-Walking on an uneven surface
-Losing balance and falling
-Twisting the ankle
-Playing sports
Ankle sprains can happen to anyone, regardless of age or activity level. If you’re experiencing ankle pain, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine the cause and receive proper treatment. Some common treatments for ankle sprains include: rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). Depending on the severity of your sprain, you may also require physical therapy or surgery.
Treatment tips
It is important to follow the proper treatment tips to help ensure a speedy and complete recovery. The first step is to apply ice to the injured area. This will help reduce swelling and inflammation. You should continue to apply ice for fifteen minutes every two-three hours for the first day or two after the sprain occurs. Additionally, you should keep the ankle elevated as much as possible in order to reduce swelling. You may also want to take anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, to help reduce pain and inflammation. Finally, be sure to wear an ankle brace or support wrap when returning to activity in order to help protect the ankle from further injury. For those of you who are athlete that need help with sports injuries, this advice is crucial to your recovery.
Prevention tips
There are many ways to prevent ankle sprains. One way is to wear supportive shoes. Another way is to make sure that you are physically fit and have good balance. You can also improve your balance by doing exercises that focus on your balance, such as standing on one leg. Finally, you can make sure to stretch before and after exercise. This will help loosen your muscles and improve your flexibility, which will help you avoid injury.
Hopefully the above few pointers will help you if you’ve already sprained your ankle or even prevent you from doing so in the future.