Ankle Sprains

Ankle Sprains & Treatment

Ankle sprains occur to anyone in almost any sport or activity. The majority of ankle sprains occur during contact sports with the top four being: basketball, football, soccer and running. But ankle sprains can occur in other activities such as in dance and even just walking outside on uneven sidewalks. Most of us ignore the sprain and take it easy for the next couple of days. But this type of “treatment” doesn’t treat the inflammatory process behind the sprain.

Inadequate treatment of an ankle sprain can cause the ankle to become prone to sprains and later can develop into lateral ankle instability due to the laxity of the ligaments around the ankle. The anterior talo-fibular ligament is the most sprained ankle ligament contributing to the instability. By taking care of an ankle sprain correctly with proper treatment will help reduce the risk of lateral ankle instability.

This can be prevented by using the simple acronym RICE that stands for:
Rest the injured ankle from any type of weight bearing activity and this is best accomplished by using crutches or even various casting options.
Ice the injured location for about 20 minutes at a time to help reduce swelling and to prevent further injury. A simple ‘frozen bag of peas’ or several ice cubes wrapped in a towel will suffice.

Compression by using a gel wrap or elastic bandage will help support the ankle.
Elevate the injured side by keeping it above the heart level, which helps to reduce both swelling and bruising.

By following the RICE treatment and by taking anti-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with pain management and reduce swelling and inflammation, the injured ankle will have a better chance of recovery and will prevent the risk of developing ankle instability. More severe ankle sprains that involve more ligaments and possibly bone will need the attention of a podiatrist. Trainer or your family doctor, who can evaluate the ankle with other diagnostic tools such as ultrasound and x-rays.

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