Sprained Ankle – An Overview
One of the most common musculoskeletal injuries is a sprained ankle, no regard to age. Ankle ligament strain happens when the ligaments that support the ankle tear or turn to mush (stretch out past their limits) when there is an awkward twist, fall or impact. A sprain can be of varying degrees of severity, by the amount of damage done to the ligaments. This can lead to pain, swelling and instability of the foot associated with sprained ankle and limited mobility.
What is a Sprained Ankle?
Ligaments surrounding the ankle joint which are stretched or torn cause pain and swelling and is called a sprained ankle. Tissue consists of strong bands that connect bones to one another, and that help to stabilize a joint. A sprained ankle in which the lateral ligaments on the outer side of the ankle are damaged is the most common type of sprained ankle. This usually occurs as a result of rolling, twisting or turning the ankle in a twisting way.
10 Easy Home Remedies For Sprained Ankle Pain
Try to Rest and Immobilize – When resting the ankle and avoiding putting weight on it can help prevent further damage and aid in healing of the injury.
Ice Therapy – Placing ice packs to the injury for 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times an hour will help prevent swelling and reduce the pain.
Ankle Wrapping – Effective wrapping may be done with a stretch bandage to support the ankle and prevent excessive swelling.
Swelling – Elevate the ankle above the level of the heart to help improve blood circulation that can lessen swelling.
Foot Massage – Massage is also very helpful for relieving muscle pain in the feet, and they can even help relax the nearby muscles and reduce inflammation.
Turmeric Paste – A normal greased up, turmeric mixed in water will be able to connect to as a glue to battle misery and committing swelling.
Boiling crushed ginger- in water and applying it as a compress can also give pain relief.
Diluted essential oils- such as lavender or peppermint can help in pain management when massaged in the affected area.
Non prescription drugs – It is advisable to take paracetamol or ibuprofen in case of need as they offer relief in pains and inflammation.
Simple Swimming Movements – After some time, when the pain is minimized, stretching and toning exercises will enable the patient to get up and move freely.
Sprained Ankle Symptoms and Treatment Recovery Time
Symptoms:
- Pain to some extent, if one has to bear weight on the concerned foot
- Pain and inflammation on the skin around the ankle or more precisely on the area where shoe’s strap is positioned
- Restricted range of motion
- Tenderness to the touch
- Instability or weakness in the ankle
- A popping sensation at the time of injury
Depending with the degree of the sprain, the following procedures will be applicable:
Grade I: It takes approximately 1-3 weeks to heal and the treatment includes rest, application of ice, compression and elevation (RICE).
Grade 2 Sprain: The mild to moderate injury may lead to 3 – 6 weeks of recovery period. There could be a requirement of physical therapy to be looked up by a medical practitioner.
Grade 3 Sprain: The severity of this strain may take several months to heal and perhaps need surgical treatment if the ligament has been ripped apart.
Sprained Ankle: Signs & Symptoms
- Immediate swelling and bruising
- Limited range of motion
- Tenderness around the ankle
- Instability when standing or walking
- A popping sound at the time of injury (in severe cases)
Sprained Ankle: Causes
Sprained ankles often result from:
- Twisting or rolling of the ankle joint in a sudden manner
- Treading on terrains such as hills or sand
- Loss of balance while jumping or when making a jump and then falling or landing on the feet wrongly.
- It includes coming to work with cropped pants while exposing the thighs, wearing high heels or improper fitting shoes
- Engaging in sports that require sudden change of directions (Basketball, Soccer, Tennis, etc.)
Sprained Ankle: Risk Factors
Some of the contributors towards the development of ankle sprains include:
Ligaments and Muscles
Flabby muscles as well as ligaments contribute to increased vulnerability since they cannot exert enough force to keep the ankle joint in place.
Tiles And Carpet
Walking on tiles rather than carpet increases the chances of a repeat ankle sprain since one is likely to have prior attended Sprains on the ankle.
Improper footwear
loose slippers and sandals only cause instabilities when one is exercising. This may lead to poor balancing of the body on the feet and poor coordination when walking. It might be recalled that in sports and physical activities, more impacts raise the chances of ankle injuries.
Obesity
This is because the excessive weight which is carried by the body puts pressure on the ankle joint.
Sprained Ankle: Complications
If not treated effectively some of the complications of the sprained ankle include the following:
- Chronic ankle instability: Depending on how frequent the instances of sprains are, the ligaments can be permanently affected.
- Arthritis: This is the condition whereby there is early joint instability that results in arthritis in the ankle in the lifetime of the affected limb.
- Tendon and Ligament Damage: Recurrent moderate cases of sprains can open the way for tendon damage or ligament rupture which will necessitate surgery.
Sprained Ankle: Prevention Tips
The preventive measures that can be taken to minimize the chances of one getting a sprained ankle include:
- Stretching helps in enhancing the flexibility of an individual before exercises.
- Stretching exercises are helpful in making the ankle muscles stronger hence improving the stability of the ankle to prevent any injury.
- Select shoes with good support preferably ones that offer proper support to the arch and ankle area.
- Do Not Jog or Walk on Heel in the case where the terrain is uneven. When required, it is possible to go for braces or tapes since most athletes and anyone susceptible to ankle sprays should wear some kind of support.
- Practice Balance Exercises as it can be of great help to any individual in ensuring that they do not have accidents that may lead to getting a slip while on the bathroom, slippery floor, tile or any slippery surface.
- Train hard and rest hard 2: Take breaks after some hours of intensive exercises or any other tiresome activities.
If proper procedures of maintaining and preventing are taken into consideration, then one can have a nice and smooth ankle sprain. But in case the given symptoms do not subside or tend to aggravate the condition, medical advice needs to be sought so as to avoid complications.
Sprained Ankle: Diagnosis
To diagnose a sprained ankle, one has to seek the services of a health care provider Doctor on call, Nurse on call in a bid to conduct a physical examination. An osteopath will check the dorsiflexion of the affected ankle, as well as inspect it for signs of oedema, erythema and pain. The potential questions a doctor may ask involves the manner of injury and then the doctor at home, nurse at home may perform certain lab test at home to check for instability by rotating the ankle joint in various ways. In some instances, further investigations which are x-rays, Machine, Resonance imaging or Computerised tomography are done to eliminate fracture or other severe ligament injuries.
Sprained Ankle: Treatment
Sprain is treated depending on its seriousness of the injured ankle:
Rest, ice, compression and elevation: The RICE treatment is applied in order to minimize inflammation and pain.
Pain reliever: Aspirin and other over the counter drugs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical Therapy: The gentle range of motion activities and conditioning exercises will help to get around and reduce the degree of stiffness.
Bracing or Splinting: An immobilization may be encouraged to be placed round the ankle to prevent any movement as the healing progresses.
Surgery: Severe avulsed ligament injuries may call for surgery to enable their repair.
Easy Home Remedy For Sprained Ankle
Another home remedy for sprain on the ankle can also be administered with the help of turmeric and coconut oil. One will mix turmeric powder with coconut oil to obtain a thick paste that will have to be applied on the swollen part. Turmeric also contains chemical compounds to fight inflammation and body swellings leading to pain reduction. Besides, keeping the skin clean and giving it a gentle massage using warm olive oil aids in circulation of blood and improves healing.
Should You See A Doctor For A Sprained Ankle?
Some minor injuries to the joints may be self-managed however if the following signs appear it is advisable to seek medical attention from Family doctors in dubai Or doctor at hotel in dubai
The patient is required not to put his or her foot down on the ground, or place any weight on it.
This means that one test taker’s face may be swollen to a certain extent or there may be black and blue marks. This is the case if you have undergone home remedies and treated the pain without getting any positive results. The skin of the ankle looks abnormal or irregular in some manner.
A good course of action therefore is to observe effective and appropriate measures in an effort to reduce the occurrence of ankle sprains, and recovery time is typically short. It is recommended that in case any of these indications experience a health risk differential, one should seek the advice of a health care provider Nurse at Hotel in Dubai.
Also Read: Healthy Foods for Skin, Heart & Hair
Book Your Consultation Wvith HealthOne
HealthOne offers Wellness Packages in Dubai and consultations if you have had a sprained ankle. We dedicate ourselves to our work, our experienced healthcare professionals supply individual treatment plans and Regular Health Check-Ups in order that the recovery to be both smooth and productive. To receive the best care according to your needs, book your consultation already today.
Conclusion
While a sprained ankle is fairly common, it can severely hamper one’s ability to take part in everyday activities and utilize their mobility. Treatable though, knowing the symptoms, as well as treatment options and recovery process helps in managing the injury effectively. Preventing it as much as possible and taking timely medical treatment when it is necessary will make you less likely to have complications or take longer to recover
FAQ
Is walking with a sprained ankle possible?
In the early stage, it is best to not walk on a sprained ankle. Helpful in reducing pain and swelling is resting and following the RICE method.
What is the best method to resort to swelling of a sprained ankle?
Swelling this is minimized by application of ice, elevating the foot, usage of compression bandages.
What would I have done to stop myself from future ankle sprains?
The best way to prevent recurrent ankle sprains is to strengthen ankles and practice balance exercises, and wear supportive footwear.
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