Ankle Sprains
What You Need to Know About Ankle Sprains:
Ankle sprains are one of the most frequent injuries to effect people of all activity levels. They occur not only in athletes but in laborers, and average people who are simply walking and “twist their ankle.”
Although the twist may be minor, people will often have prolonged swelling, pain over the outside of the ankle, and some have frequent giving way. Treatment should begin with “R.I.C.E.” principles. These include rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Over the counter anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen can be beneficial in small amounts. For individuals who have significant pain X-rays must be taken to ensure that a broken bone is not present. Even without a break, people can have continued pain from scar tissue that forms in the ankle. To decrease the risk of recurrent instability and future injuries, physical therapy exercises should be performed. Over the counter braces are beneficial to stabilize the ankle. If pain persists, corticosteroid injections are often helpful.
If these interventions do not help relieve the pain and stabilize the ankle, patients may benefit form surgery. Surgery may include arthroscopy, placing a camera into the ankle to remove scar and inflamed tissue. In addition, broken cartilage, torn tendons, and torn ligaments can be treated. With modern surgical techniques, patients are rehabilitated rapidly often with immediate weight bearing and movement. Most people recover to their pre-injury status.