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Ankle Sprain

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What is Ankle Sprain?

An ankle sprain is an injury that occurs in your ankles, when you twist, turn or roll your ankles at awkward angles. The bones of ankles are held together using a ligament and the injury damages these ligaments. If you have a sprained ankle, your ankle ligaments would have been moved beyond their normal range of motion. Usually, sprained ankles are associated with tearing of ligaments in the outer edges of the ankle.

For injuries of lesser magnitude, over-the-counter medication may be sufficient. But depending on the extent of damages caused, it is always suggested that you consult a doctor for a thorough medical examination. If a grave injury is left untreated, an ankle sprain might lead to chronic pain, chronic ankle instability or arthritis in the ankle.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a sprained ankle could be:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Restricted range of motion in the angles
  • Pain
  • Being unable to shift body weight on the injured foot

Causes

The causes for an ankle sprain could be:

  • Falling from heights
  • Walking and running on uneven surfaces
  • Landing at awkward angles after jumping and pivoting
  • Sports on uneven surfaces and in improper shoes

Risks

Ankle sprains could be a possibility if you participate in sports that involve twisting movements of your feet. Being obese and walking or playing on uneven surfaces are other risk factors.

Prevention

These are some tips to prevent ankle sprains:

  • Be careful when walking on uneven surfaces and snow
  • Warm up your body before exercises and games
  • Avoid using high heels
  • Wear shoes that fit your feet well
  • Wear shoes that are meant for the activity
  • Maintain strong and flexible muscles

How is it diagnosed?

At Sumitra hospital, our experts might use any of the following means to diagnose an ankle sprain:

  • Physical exam
  • X-ray
  • MRI scan
  • CT scan