What is an ankle sprain?
An ankle sprain is an injury that causes a stretch or tear
of one or more ligaments in the ankle joint. Ligaments are
strong bands of tissue that connect bones at the joint.
Sprains may be graded I, II, or III depending on their
severity:
- grade I sprain: pain with minimal damage to the
ligaments
- grade II sprain: more ligament damage and mild looseness
of the joint
- grade III sprain: complete tearing of the ligament and
the joint is very loose or unstable.
Sometimes sprains are just classified as mild or severe,
depending on the amount of ligament damage.
Most sprains occur on the outside part of the ankle, but
they can occur on the inside as well.
How does it occur?
A sprain is caused by twisting your ankle. Your foot
usually turns in or under but may turn to the outside.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of a sprained ankle include:
- mild aching to sudden pain
- swelling
- discoloration
- inability to move the ankle properly
- pain in the ankle even when you are not putting any
weight on it.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose a sprained ankle, the health care provider
will review how the injury occurred and consider your
symptoms. He or she will examine your ankle carefully.
X-rays may be taken of your ankle.
How it is treated?
Treatment may include:
- Applying ice packs to your ankle for 20 to 30 minutes
every 3 to 4 hours for the first 2 to 3 days or until the
pain goes away. Thereafter, ice your ankle at least once
a day until the other symptoms are gone.
- Elevating your ankle by placing a pillow underneath your
foot. Try to keep your ankle above the level of your
heart.
- Wrapping an elastic bandage around your ankle to keep the
swelling from getting worse.
- Wearing a lace-up brace or ankle stirrup (an Aircast or
Gel cast).
- Using crutches until you can walk without pain.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen,
or other pain medication prescribed by your provider.
- Doing ankle exercises to improve your ankle strength and
range of motion. The exercises will help you return to
your normal activity or sports.
Rarely, severe ankle sprains with complete tearing of the
ligaments need surgery. After surgery your ankle will be in
a cast for 4 to 8 weeks.
How long will the effects last?
The length of recovery depends on many factors:
- age
- health
- severity of injury and previous injuries to that joint.
When can I return to my sport or activity?
The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or
activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too
soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to
permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a
different rate. Return to your sport or activity will be
determined by how soon your ankle recovers, not by how many
days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred. In
general, the longer you have symptoms before you start
treatment, the longer it will take to get better.
You may safely return to your sport or activity when,
starting from the top of the list and progressing to the
end, each of the following is true:
- You have full range of motion in the injured ankle
compared to the uninjured ankle.
- You have full strength of the injured ankle compared to the
uninjured ankle.
- You can jog straight ahead without pain or limping.
- You can sprint straight ahead without pain or limping.
- You can do 45-degree cuts, first at half-speed, then at
full-speed.
- You can do 20-yard figures-of-eight, first at half-speed,
then at full-speed.
- You can do 90-degree cuts, first at half-speed, then at
full-speed.
- You can do 10-yard figures-of-eight, first at half-speed,
then at full-speed.
- You can jump on both legs without pain and you can jump
on the injured leg without pain.
How can I help prevent an ankle sprain?
To help prevent an ankle sprain, follow these guidelines:
- Wear proper, well-fitting shoes when you exercise.
- Stretch gently and adequately before and after athletic
or recreational activities.
- Avoid sharp turns and quick changes in direction and
movement.
- Consider taping the ankle or wearing a brace for
strenuous sports, especially if you have a previous
injury.
Developed by McKesson Health Solutions LLC.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.