Ankle Sprain Specialist

What is an ankle sprain?

An ankle sprain is a common injury that occurs if you twist, roll, or step down on your ankle in an awkward way. Ultimately, this causes the ligaments around your ankle –– tough bands of fibrous tissue –– to stretch and tear. 

When your ligaments stretch beyond their normal range of motion it causes swelling, inflammation, and general discomfort. 

Ankle sprains vary greatly in terms of severity. Mild or moderate ankle sprains usually respond to conservative treatments such as ice and rest, but more serious sprains may require medical treatment, including surgery. 

What are the symptoms of an ankle sprain?

The symptoms of ankle sprains vary from person to person and depend on the underlying cause of the injury. That said, telltale signs of an ankle sprain include:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Limited range of motion
• Bruising
• Instability of the ankle

If you sprain your ankle, you might also notice that your affected joint makes a clicking or popping sound at the time you experienced the injury.  

Who is at risk of an ankle sprain?

Ankle sprains affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but there are factors that may increase your risk, including:

• Participating in sports or other physical activities
• Walking or running on uneven surfaces
• Suffering a previous ankle injury
• Wearing improper shoes

You’re also more likely to suffer an ankle sprain if you don’t take the time to warm up or stretch prior to exercising. 

How is an ankle sprain diagnosed?

To diagnose an ankle sprain, your Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado provider carefully examines your ankle, foot, and lower leg and presses on the skin around your ankle to check for points of tenderness. Your provider also moves your foot and ankle to test your range of motion.

If you have a severe ankle sprain, your doctor might also recommend diagnostic imaging with an X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan to rule out broken bones or joint or ligament damage. 

How is an ankle sprain treated?

Treatment for an ankle sprain depends on the underlying cause and severity of your injury. Usually, mild and moderate sprains respond to conservative care measures such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE protocol). You might also benefit from taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen.

For more serious sprains, your podiatrist might recommend physical therapy, custom orthotics, or surgical intervention. The team at Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado specializes in minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery and offers the latest techniques for ligament repair. 

If you or a loved one suffers an ankle sprain, don’t wait to seek treatment. Request your appointment at Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado today by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool.