|
The joint between the foot and the leg is called the ankle. The ankle joint is responsible for moving the toes up as when standing only on the heels and moving the toes down, as when standing on the toes.
Injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle is called ankle sprain. It occurs usually on the outside of the ankle. Some ankle sprains are much worse than others. The severity of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn, or completely torn.
Symptoms of Ankle Sprain-
Symptoms of a sprained angle depend on the severity of the sprain. The severity of a sprained ankle is divided into three categories.
Mild sprain (first grade) - A ligament in the ankle stretches beyond its normal range of motion and may also suffer microscopic tears. The ankle can be moved with some pain. Weight can be put on the ankle.
Moderate sprain (second grade) - A ligament tears, but not completely. The ankle is tender, painful, bruised and difficult to move. It is painful to put weight on the ankle or to try to move it.
Severe sprain (third grade) - A ligament tears completely, resulting in severe pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising. It is very painful difficult to move the ankle or put any weight on it.
Other symptoms include difficulty in walking and stiffness in the joint.
Ankle Sprain Causes-
The most common cause of an ankle sprain is applying weight to the foot when it is in an inverted position. This generally happens while running or jumping on an uneven surface. The foot rolls in (inversion) or out and the ligaments get stretched. A "snap" or "pop" can be heard at the time of the sprain. An ankle sprain can also occur due to a fall that causes the ankle to twist. Landing awkwardly on the foot after jumping or pivoting can also lead to an ankle sprain.
Factors increasing risk-
Factors that increase the risk of an ankle sprain are-
Participating in sports activities- Ankle sprains are a very common sports injury. Sports that require rolling or twisting your foot, such as basketball, tennis, football and soccer can increase the chances of spraining your ankle, particularly if you\'re overweight. Playing sports on an uneven surface also can lead to an ankle sprain.
Prior ankle injury. Once your ankle has been sprained, or you have had another type of ankle injury, you\'re more likely to sprain it again.
Ankle Sprain Treatment-
.
Your doctor will promote healing and increase your range of motion. This includes doing exercises. Medicines may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation. You may be advised to ice your injury several times a day until the pain and swelling resolves. Pain can be relieved by wrapping ice cubes in a thin towel or using an ice pack. It is always advised to not put ice directly on the skin. To prevent further swelling, the ankle may be wrapped in an elastic bandage. In most severe cases, surgery may be required to treat an ankle sprain. Surgery generally involves repairing the damaged ligament or ligaments.
Why Ankle sprains shouldn’t be ignored-
An untreated ankle sprain can lead to chronic ankle instability, a condition marked by persistent discomfort and a “giving way” of the ankle. The leg may also get weakened.
There might have been a severe ankle injury along with the sprain. It can include a serious bone fracture that could lead to troubling complications if it goes untreated.
An ankle sprain may be accompanied by a foot injury that causes discomfort.
Treatment of a sprained ankle needs to begin right away. If treatment is delayed, the injury may be less likely to heal properly.
|
