Ankle sprains are common conditions treated by orthopedic doctors. They can be due to sports or simply happen while walking. A mild sprain occurs when one or more of the ligaments in your ankle stretch too far, while a severe sprain may tear at least one of these ligaments. Muscle strains or bone fractures are also sometimes mistaken for sprains. If you've injured your ankle, here’s all you need to know about treating it.

How to Get Joint Pain Relief Following a Sprain

Right after your ankle injury, follow the RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Don’t walk or put pressure on the ankle.  Use an ice pack to minimize pain.  Apply a compression bandage to help control swelling. Sit or lie with your leg raised above your chest. These steps will reduce swelling and pain.

You can also take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) during this period. If the pain is severe despite medications, lasts for longer than three days, the injury could be more than just a sprain and should be evaluated by an orthopedic doctor.

Signs and Symptoms of An Ankle Sprain

The ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones to bones, on both sides of your ankle.  Most commonly an ankle sprain involves ligaments on the lateral (outside) of your ankle.  You will experience pain around the ankle and tenderness when you touch the ligaments.  You may have swelling and bruising.  You may have pain when walking or at rest and difficulty walking. In some cases you may notice instability.

When to Visit an Orthopedic Doctor

Soon after your injury, carefully test whether you can put weight on the foot. If doing so is too painful, your ankle is unstable and won't support you, or you can't walk, the injury may be more than a sprain.  If you have difficulty walking, have bony tenderness, significant swelling or bruising, felt anything snap or pop at the time of injury or have pain that lasts longer than 2-3 days you should be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon.  They will evaluate you to determine the severity of your injury and order x-rays to make sure you don't have a fracture.  Your doctor may prescribe an ankle support, brace or physical therapy.

Remember that you can re-injure your ankle if you return to full activity before you have recovered.  Talk to your doctor about when to return to full sports and activities to help prevent recurrences.

For sprains and other joint injuries, visit Advanced Orthopaedic Associates in Wayne, NJ. Serving Bergen, Passaic, and Morris counties, they offer a two-phase approach to treatment to address immediate symptoms and contribute to long-term recovery and prevention. Their treatment plans and lifestyle recommendations are tailored to your individual needs. Learn more about foot and ankle sprains on their website or call (973) 839-5700 to make an appointment.