Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are the most common of all athletic injuries. If your ankle pain involves the outside part of the ankle, this is referred to as inversion sprains and are the most common type of ankle sprain. Most inversion sprains occur during sports which involve jumping and side to side movement like basketball, volleyball and soccer. If your ankle pain involves the inside area of the ankle, these are known as eversion sprains and are uncommon. Ankle sprains can occur from either external factors (contact with another person, incorrect footwear, playing surface) internal factors (ligamentous laxity, tight Achilles tendon, weakened fibular muscles).

When you have an inversion ankle sprain, the result is damage to your ligaments ranging from a mild stretch to complete tearing. The ligaments on the inside are of the ankle (deltoid ligament) are much stronger and rarely become significantly injured.

What can I do for a sprained ankle?

Your initial treatment immediately following an injury (24-48 hours) will include rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) to reduce pain and swelling. If you’re okay with taking oral anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. Ibuprofen), taking them may aid in reducing your swelling and help with discomfort.  Following this period, you should attempt to walk and begin rehab or therapy. If there is ligament injury, you may require a brace to provide stability during your recovery. If you’re unable to put weight on the ankle, its recommended that you see a foot and ankle specialist for further treatment.

Your ligaments will generally heal but rarely regain their original strength. This makes recurrent injuries very common. Proper rehabilitation and physical therapy are essential elements to a rapid recover and avoiding recurrent injury. Strengthening the fibular muscles and doing proprioceptive exercises are important components of your physical therapy. Therapy can range between 4 to 12 weeks depending on the severity of the injury (3 times / week). Following therapy, an ankle brace, taping, appropriate footwear and /or a functional orthotic may be necessary. If your pain and instability persists, you may require surgical intervention.

What can Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre do for me?

If your having difficulty with recovering from an ankle sprain, our Chiropodist will take a through medical history, perform a physical exam and work with you to develop a treatment plan that works best for you. We can assist you in fitting you with ankle brace, prescribe appropriate footwear and fabricate custom made foot orthotics, prescribe daily exercises and stretches to complete daily, recommend topical pain relievers and begin physical therapy with MedX light and laser therapy.

You may also be interested in:

• MedX Low Level Laser Therapy
• Custom foot orthotics
• Kinesiology Taping
• Bauerfeind AirLoc®
• Bauerfeind Malleo Train® S
• Biofreeze topical pain relief
  

Give our office a call at 905-209-8000 or book an appointment through our online portal to get your ankle sprain treated and be back to your daily activities quickly. 

 Chiropody Services are covered by most extended health insurance plans. 

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