Every day, more than 23,000 Americans visit a doctor to get medical help after suffering an ankle sprain. When it happens to you, it’s essential to prevent chronic ankle weakness by getting treatment from an expert like Dr. Scott O’Connor at Premier Podiatry, with offices in Bloomington, Normal, and Pontiac, Illinois. Whether your sprain is mild or severe, your ligaments need extra care and rehabilitation to regain normal strength. To schedule an appointment, use online booking or call the nearest Premier Podiatry office today.
An ankle sprain occurs when one or more of the supporting ligaments in your ankle are stretched or torn. They most often affect ligaments on the outside of your ankle when your ankle rolls inward, forcing the ligaments beyond their normal tolerance.
Ankle sprains are common sports injuries. You’re also at risk for an ankle sprain if you walk or run on an uneven surface.
The symptoms of a sprain are similar to those of a fracture, and include:
Seeking medical care right away for an ankle sprain promotes healing, helps you regain strength, and ensures you don’t have other injuries such as:
Since fractures and sprains share similar symptoms, it’s easy to assume you have a sprain when you may need treatment for a fracture.
Foot injuries often occur at the same time you sprain your ankle, but the pain of your sprain may overshadow foot problems.
Without physical therapy to regain optimal strength, you may develop chronic ankle instability.
Ligaments connect one bone to another, providing joint stability. When you continue using your ankle before sprained ligaments heal, they don’t regain their original strength. As a result, your ankle is weakened, and you’re susceptible to twisting your ankle again.
Chronic ankle instability refers to recurring episodes of a twisted or sprained ankle due to progressive ligament weakness.
Dr. O’Connor develops a treatment plan to relieve your pain, reduce inflammation, and stabilize your ankle, but the type of treatment you need depends on the severity of your sprain.
Mild sprains may only need rest, ice, compression bandages, and elevation (RICE). If you need to immobilize your ankle to give the ligaments time to heal, the doctor may recommend a brace or walking boot.
You may need surgery to repair tissues and stabilize your ankle when your sprain is severe, the ligament is torn, or you have chronic instability.
Since Dr. O’Connor offers physical therapy on-site, your rehabilitation starts as soon as your pain and swelling are gone.
When you have ankle pain, swelling, or bruising, call the nearest Premier Podiatry office in Normal, Pontiac, or Eureka, Illinois, or book an appointment online today.
