A sprained ankle is a type of injury that occurs when you roll, turn or twist your ankle in a very awkward way. Doing so can stretch or tear the ligaments that help keep the bones of your ankle together. Ligaments offer stability to your joints, preventing excess movement. Therefore, a sprained ankle occurs when your ligaments are sprained far, much beyond their range of motion. Most sprained ankles commonly involve injury to the ligaments that are outside your ankle.
Other most common sports injuries seen in the ER include:
If you have sprained your ankle, it is advisable to visit an Emergency room in Waco, and we offer emergency care for all sports injuries. Your doctor can determine how severe the damage is and recommend the best treatment option. A sprained ankle can take some time to heal, from several weeks to months.
A sprain occurs when your ankle moves from its normal position, this can cause your ankle’s ligaments to stretch or tear partially or completely. These causes include:
You may have a sprained ankle if you notice the following symptoms:
The factors that increase the risk of you twisting your ankle include:
You can reduce the risk of twisting your ankle in the future by:
If your ankle has sprained or twisted, it is advisable to visit sprained ankle urgent care or an er. Your doctor will diagnose the problem after conducting a thorough physical exam. The examination may involve your doctor moving your ankle in different ways to check the range of your motion. X-rays may be ordered to check the structure of your bone. MRIs may be done to have detailed information on your ankle or ligaments.
Your doctor will prescribe pain relievers if your situation is mild and recommend some home treatment such as:
For severe cases, surgery may be required if the ligaments’ damage is so severe. There are cases of instability or if the injury has not improved after the non-surgical treatments. Surgical options include arthroscopy and reconstruction.
The type of surgery will depend on how severe the sprain is or your activity level. You will have to undergo a rehabilitation process for your recovery. There are follow-up appointments that you must adhere to and therapies to work on your motion and strengthen your ankle muscles. The rehabilitation can take weeks or months, depending on the type of surgery and your ankle sprain’s extent.
Yes, you can visit an emergency room or an urgent care to treat your sprained ankle. The doctor will diagnose and treat your injury.