The symptoms of a sprained ankle could be:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Restricted range of motion in the angles
- Pain
- Being unable to shift body weight on the injured foot
At Medanta, our experts might use any of the following means to diagnose an ankle sprain:
...At Medanta, our experts might use any of the following means to diagnose an ankle sprain:
If the injury is simple and damages are not much, your doctor would prescribe over-the-counter painkillers to relieve the pain of an ankle sprain.
As it is painful to shift weight on a sprained ankle, your doctor might recommend the usage of crutches or removable splints until the time of complete recovery.
After the ligaments in the ankle are healed completely, you can avail the services of a professional physical therapist. The therapist will teach you exercises to gradually regain strength and regain the range of motion in your ankles. Balance and stability training are important to cure ankle sprains, because the ankle muscles work together to support the joints in your feet. If exercising or sports were the cause of your ankle sprain, do consult your doctor before you resume your physical activities. It might be suggested that you wear ankle-braces or wraps, to protect it from further damages.
If you have a complicated case of ankle sprain or if other methods of cure do not seem to cause changes in your ligaments, you might be referred to a musculoskeletal specialist for evaluation. Until the healing process is complete, you might have to wear casting or walking boots to immobilize the joints. If the damages are severe, especially in professional sportspersons, surgery might be required to repair the damaged ligaments.
If you have a swollen ankle or a painful ankle after a minor injury, consult your doctor. If the pain and swelling are severe, it might also be a fracture.