When you sprain your ankle, it can be excruciating and begin to swell. It is essential to use ice; it reduces the swelling. Sprains are better when wrapped to minimize the chances of reinjuring the affected area. It would be best if you kept the ankle elevated so that swelling could decrease. It is also vital to stop any bleeding by applying some pressure with a towel or cloth.
Applying ice wrapped in a towel can help stop the swelling. It would be wise to see a Naperville ankle sprain specialist because there may be some injuries that are more serious than just your sprained ankle. And your doctor can determine if you need further treatment or not.
Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle
If you sprain your ankle, it is going to be very painful and swollen. When the sprain occurs, there may or may not be a loud sound that sometimes sounds almost like a ‘pop.’ The injured area will be tender. There could also be some mild bruising around the injury site. When the sprain occurs, the ankle becomes unstable. It will feel feeble, and you will have a hard time trying to stand on it.
If you continue walking on the sprained ankle, there will be some pain that will go up into your lower leg. You may not be able to bear weight on the ankle because doing so causes too much pain. Depending on the severity of the sprain, it may be hard to move the ankle at all.
If there is no pain or swelling found around the sprained ankle, it most likely isn’t broken.
Treatment Options for a Sprained Ankle
Some sprained ankles will only need some rest and time to heal. If the sprain is not too severe, it can heal on its own without requiring treatment. Though if there are any broken bones or torn ligaments, then further treatment may be necessary.
If there isn’t anything serious with your sprain, it can heal on its own if given time and rest. An injury that is just a sprain will sometimes heal on its own within eight weeks with no treatment needed. If the ankle becomes too painful to walk on, you can wear an air cast boot.
If the sprain has torn any ligaments, there are some treatment options your doctor may recommend for you. You can use an air cast boot or a brace. You can also see an orthopedic doctor who may recommend doing surgery to repair the ligaments. If you need surgery, it is usually done within ten days of when the injury happened. It is vital to stay in bed and begin physical therapy soon to recover and get back into walking.
In summary, a sprained ankle can cause a lot of pain and make it hard for you to walk. Common symptoms include pain that varies depending on the severity and swelling around the affected ankle. Usually, you can recover with some rest, but you may need further treatment if the ankle suffers more severe damage.