Treating Your Sprained Ankle

Treating Your Sprained Ankle

Symptoms

You can experience a variety of symptoms following an ankle sprain, and those symptoms depend on the severity of the injury. You will begin to feel acute and localized pain which will make it difficult to place any weight on your ankle. There may be mild to heavy swelling during the first 48 to 72 hours as fluid leaks into the area. If fluid is leaking into your injury your sprain could feel warm to the touch or exhibit some bruising. If the pain is severe and persists despite treatment, you should contact a physician immediately to ensure that you have not suffered a more serious injury.

Recurring Ankle Sprains

Recurring ankle sprains may be of a great concern as severe or repeated mild sprains will lead to an irritation and thickening of the injured ligaments. If you sprain your ankle often you may have a condition that is called "Ankle Instability". This chronic condition typically develops due to a previous ankle sprain which has not completely healed; leaving the ligaments in your ankle prone to re-injury.

Types of Sprains

There are three types of ankle sprains: Inversion, Eversion, and High Ankle sprains.

Inversion Ankle Sprain

There are three ligaments that compose the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) located on the lateral (outer) side of the ankle - the anterior and posterior talobibular ligaments, and the calcanefibular ligament. These are the ligaments that become stressed or torn from an Inversion ankle sprain. This type of ankle sprain is the most common and occurs when the foot rolls over onto the lateral side causing pain and swelling on the outside of the ankle.

Eversion Ankle Sprain

The deltoid ligament is located on the medial (inner) side of the ankle. This is the ligament that becomes stressed or torn from an Eversion ankle sprain, and this particular ankle sprain is less common than the Inversion sprain.

High Ankle (Syndesmosis) Sprain

The syndesmotic ligament joins the tibia and fibula bones of the lower leg and is located above the ankle joint. Stress or tearing to this ligament will result in a more severe sprain of the joint ligaments. Severe 2nd or 3rd degree "high" ankle sprains may result in "diastasis" which is a spreading apart of the tibia and fibula.

Degree of Severity

It is important that you receive a proper diagnosis from a physician in order to determine the severity of your ankle sprain. There are three grades of ankle sprains (1, 2, and 3) and determining the grade of your ankle sprain will allow for a more tailored treatment program.

Grade One sprains are the mildest and most common; which consists of minimal pain and swelling around the ankle and is the result of stretching of the ligament(s).

Grade Two sprains involve minor tearing of the ligament(s) without complete rupture. Due to the torn tissues there is usually more swelling.

Grade Three sprains consist of a complete rupturing of the ligament(s) and is therefore the most traumatic and painful. In more serious cases the ankle may look twisted. In the event of a Grade 3 sprain, you should see a physician immediately and try not to put undue pressure of any kind on the injured ankle.

Treatment

Cold Compression Therapy - R.I.C.E.

Cold Compression Therapy is ideal for treatment within the first 48 to 72 hours after an ankle sprain. It is best to reduce swelling and rest your injured ankle by administering the R.I.C.E. method in order to initiate the healing process.

Begin R.I.C.E. treatments by resting your injured ankle as much as possible and restrict any movement to prevent further damage. Ice the swollen area 2 to 4 times a day for approximately 20 minutes (allow for 45 minute periods between treatments). Do not apply ice directly onto your injured ankle as this may cause cryoburn (freezer burn to the skin) – use a piece of cloth, towel or compression wrap. Compress the area if possible by adding light pressure to minimize swelling. Finally, elevate your injured ankle to relieve swelling and allow fluid to properly drain.

Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy (BFST)

If you are still experiencing some inflammation in your injured ankle, and the area is no longer swollen you may want to explore the healing benefits of Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ (BFST™). BFST™ decreases inflammation and increases blood circulation. Blood is the transport mechanism for oxygen, nutrients, water and antibodies, thus proper blood flow is essential when healing any type of ankle sprain. BFST™ is provided through the use of heat therapy which can be found in heating wrap products.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Therapeutic ultrasound is a method of stimulating tissue beneath the skin’s surface using sound waves. It is like a high frequency massage that can penetrate up to 4” below the surface of the skin. The heating and massaging effects of therapeutic ultrasound have 3 primary benefits: it can speed the healing process, reduce swelling, and heal damaged tissue softening scar tissue. Essentially, the nutrient absorption rate and blood flow within the injured ankle area will be greatly enhanced through the use of an ultrasound device. Portable ultrasound therapy is recommended and administered by many doctors, physical therapists, and health care providers.

When applied directly to the skin, an ultrasound head cannot effectively transfer sound waves into the body. A conductive medium (ultrasound gel) is required to facilitate therapeutic ultrasound.

Ultrasound can also be used to administer therapeutic medicines into the body which provides the added benefit of delivering soothing medicated gel to the site of the pain. This is a process known as Phonophoresis.