Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur when one or more ankle ligaments stretch beyond their normal limits, leading to swelling, pain, and instability. If they stretch too far, the ligaments tear, making recovery more difficult.
The key to healing a sprained ankle is time, rest, and keeping the ankle joint stable. At Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, Dr. Marque A. Allen offers a range of cutting-edge treatments for high and low ankle sprains.
Dr. Allen is an experienced foot and ankle surgeon who offers treatment tips to help your ankle sprain heal properly and get you back to normal activities as soon as possible.
Ankle sprains typically happen in two main areas of the joint – the syndesmosis (high ankle sprain) and the lateral (outer) aspect of the ankle. However, you can sprain any of the ligaments that hold the ankle joint together.
We further classify ankle sprains by their severity. A grade one sprain is the least severe and occurs when the ligaments stretch slightly. Recovery time for this sprain is about two weeks.
A grade two sprain is more severe than a grade one and involves partial tearing of the ankle ligaments. The symptoms are more severe, and a grade 2 sprain can take up to 6 weeks to heal.
Grade three sprains are the most severe and happen when the ligaments tear completely. The symptoms are severe, and you may require surgery to ensure it heals properly. These sprains can take up to 12 weeks to fully heal.
If you suspect a sprained ankle, the first step is to stop what you're doing, assess the injury, and apply ice to control pain and swelling. Depending on the severity of the injury, you should come in for an evaluation to ensure it's a sprain and not something more severe.
Mild sprains often heal on their own with home care like rest, ice, compression, and elevation, or the RICE protocol. This helps to control swelling and pain while allowing the ligaments to heal.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are great for the first few days to help reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort. It's crucial to allow the ankle to heal and to wear a brace to keep the joint stable.
Grade two and grade three sprains often require professional treatment to heal properly. If you've tried home care without success or you have a severe sprain, we offer the following five treatments for a successful recovery:
Physical therapy (PT) is a key component of ankle sprain recovery. It involves progressive training in balance, strength, and flexibility to help the ankle regain strength as the ligaments heal.
The goal of PT is to strengthen the surrounding tissues to help the ligaments heal properly and to prevent reinjury of the ankle joint.
Immobilizing an ankle sprain is crucial to the recovery process. Depending on the severity of the injury, we may recommend a simple ankle brace or a boot to stabilize the joint. Crutches may also be necessary to keep stress off the ligaments while they heal.
PRP injections are necessary for severe sprains to help them heal faster. The growth proteins in a PRP injection speed up the recovery process by rebuilding tissues faster with the aid of your own platelets.
Our topical CBD products are a great way to relieve discomfort and ease inflammation without taking oral medications. We offer several topical CBD products to help naturally reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Strengthening exercises are essential for a sprained ankle. Initially, the ligaments are weak when they first heal. Strengthening exercises help stabilize the joint, which is crucial for injury prevention and for managing chronic instability.
If you have an ankle sprain and need treatment, don't hesitate to contact our Alamo Heights or San Antonio offices or to request a consultation online.
