It can happen as the result of simply walking, but when it does, spraining your ankle can be debilitating and painful. It can also contribute to chronic pain down the road, and further injury if not treated properly.
A sprained ankle occurs when the ankle twists or rolls, tearing the tough bands (ligaments) that help keep our ankle stabilized during movement. It happens most often when we lose our balance, step awkwardly, or walk over an uneven surface.
There are some things you can do at home to help soothe and alleviate pain for minor sprains:
- Try an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen to help reduce pain and inflammation
- Rest the ankle as much as possible and try to limit any weight-bearing activities. Compression or wrapping the ankle can also help stabilize the foot
- Keep the injured ankle elevated at least above the waist
- Ice the ankle to help reduce swelling
For more severe sprains, however, it’s best to have your injury looked at by an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist who can provide the kind of care that not only heals your ankle, but also helps to prevent future, more serious injury.
The interventional sports physicians at Ortho Sport & Spine specialize in diagnosing and treating this common ankle injury, and are here to work with you to determine your treatment goals. Our treatment plans are catered specifically to you and your injury, and uniquely designed to help get you back to the activities you love.
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