FAQs

• I may have sprained my ankle, what should I do?
• How do I know if I sprained my ankle?
• What kind of sprain could it be?
• When should I go to the doctor?
• What should I expect at the doctor’s office?
• Will I need to get an X-ray?
• What are my treatment options at the doctor’s office?
• How can I prevent another sprain?

 

I may have sprained my ankle, what should I do?

A sprain can result from any twist, turn or roll of the ankle beyond it’s normal range of motion. This can tear the ligament and cause pain, bruising, swelling and tenderness.

If you believe you have sprained your ankle, you should go to the doctor’s office for an accurate diagnosis. At the doctor’s office, you discuss your treatment options, including crutches, ankle braces, topical pain relievers or a referral if your injury is severe.

If you are unwilling to see a doctor, at home you can follow RICE for the first two or three days. These steps help decrease inflammation and swelling:

Rest - Use crutches, stop exercising and walk as little as possible

Ice - Apply ice packs or even frozen vegetable bags to the area for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours. Do not constantly place an ice pack on your ankle.

Compress - Using an elastic bandage, compress your ankle to prevent swelling. Do not compress to the point of cutting off the circulation of blood.

Elevate - Keep the ankle elevated above the heart to decrease swelling.

Along with RICE you may take aspirin or ibuprofen in pill form or as a topical cream to reduce pain. Follow the instructions on the package for appropriate dosing information. After some rest, you should begin foot exercises to maintain your ankle’s range of motion.

For mild sprains, an elastic bandage wrap worn around the ankle for a few days may help the healing process while protecting the ankle from reinjury.

For moderate sprains, the bandage as well as an ankle brace allow weight bearing while protecting against reinjury.  Both the bandage and ankle brace should be worn at least a few days, but a few weeks is usually recommended.

If you think you may have a severe sprain, you should make an appointment as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options.  You may require an X-ray or even a referral to an orthopedic surgeon.  Although sprains happen frequently, they can still be a serious injury.

During the healing process it is always a good idea to limit your exercise(running, dancing, playing sports) while you heal. If you do not rest your ankle, you may cause further injury.

Top

 

How do I know if I sprained my ankle?

If you are experiencing any of the following, you may have sprained your ankle. However, you may also have injured yourself more seriously. It is always best to see a doctor if you are unsure.

1. Pain 2. Swelling
3. Bruising
4. Tenderness
5. Inability to move ankle normally
6. Inability to put weight on that foot or ankle

Top

 

What kind of sprain could it be?

There are different types of sprains, two of the most simple are the eversion and inversion sprains. 

1. Eversion- This type of sprain occurs when your foot turns outwards and your weight is on the inside of your ankle.

2. Inversion- This type of sprain occurs when your foot turns inwards and your weight is on the outside of your ankle.  These are more common then eversion sprains.
 
There is also a grading scale for the severity of an ankle sprain:

1. Grade I sprain - This is the most mild of sprains. In this case there are microscopic tears in the ligament.  You may experience tenderness and mild swelling around your ankle. You most likely have a Grade I sprain if you can put weight on the ankle and walk with minimal pain.

2. Grade II sprain - This type of sprain is more severe than a Grade I sprain.  Instead of the microscopic tears of a Grade I sprain, in a Grade II sprain there is a substantial, yet not complete tear in the ligament. You may be experiencing bruising, swelling, tenderness, and pain. You may not be able to move your ankle around fully and may not feel stable. Also at this grade, you will experience pain while putting weight on that foot or while walking.

3. Grade III sprain -  This is the most serious sprain.  In this type of sprain, there has been a complete tear of the ligament.  You may be experiencing significant bruising, swelling, tenderness and severe pain. You may not be able to put weight on your ankle, walk, or rotate the foot. 

Top

 

When should I go to the doctor?

You should go to the doctor if you are:

1. Unsure about the severity and type of your injury
2. In severe pain
3. Experiencing severe bruising, tenderness or swelling
4. Seeking advice on treatment options
5. Seeking a referral to a orthopedic surgeon
6. Worried that your injury has not healed appropriately

It is always better to see a doctor early on so that you can follow an appropriate treatment plan.  If you wait and find out your injury was more severe than previously thought, your injury may never heal properly.

Top

 

What should I expect at the doctor’s office?

At the doctor’s office, you can expect a personal and thorough appointment. The doctor will ask about your history, conduct a physical exam and special tests on the ankle to pinpoint the exact location of the injury.

Questions about history:
1. How did you injure your ankle?
2. Could you walk following the injury?
3. Was this an injury that developed over time or was there one distinct incident?
4. Have you injured either ankle previously?

Physical Examination:
Our doctors will examine your ankle for swelling and bruising, determine whether you can bear weight on the ankle, physically touch the injury to determine which movements or areas hurt the most and use other tests individualized to your injury.

Specialized tests:
Tests like the external rotation stress test, talar tilt test, anterior drawer test and others can be performed by our doctor’s to confidently diagnose your specific type of sprain.

Top

 

Will I need to get an X-ray?

Depending on the severity of your injury, the doctor may wish to perform an X-ray. A X-ray checks for damage to your bones. Stress fractures and broken bones in the foot and ankle can exhibit the same symptoms as a sprained ankle but require different treatment.

Top

 

What are my treatment options at the doctor’s office?

Depending on the results of the physical exam, our doctors may recommend the following treatment options:

1. RICE - Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate the injured ankle

2. Ankle brace - this provides support for the ankle

3. Crutches - this eliminates the need to bear weight on the injured ankle

4. A cast - this helps the ankle heal by decreasing its range of motion and providing support

5. Topical pain-relieving creams

6. X-rays - useful to rule out broken or fractured bones

7. MRI - can be used to see the extent of the injury

8. A referral to an orthopedic surgeon to be considered for surgery

Although an ankle sprain may seem minor, a fracture, broken bone, dislocation, torn ligament or any of the other possible injuries you may have sustained are not minor and require professional medical attention. Any injury that is appropriately treated as early as possible will heal faster and more completely, do not wait to make an appointment.

Top

 

How can I prevent another sprain?

There are many options once you have fully healed to prevent reinjury. 

1. External ankle support - i.e. an ankle brace

2. Taping the ankle - this has shown to be less effective than wearing an ankle brace

3. Strengthening exercises - these should be done as part of your physical rehabilitation

4. Warming  up before exercise or vigorous activities

5. Paying attention to the ground surface while walking or running

6. Wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes

7. Slowing down or stopping activity if your ankle begins to hurt

Top

 

If you are unsure what grade your sprain is, it may be best to see a doctor. Please contact our offices today to make an appointment. Walk In clinic NYC is conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan at 274 Madison Ave(between 39-40 streets) Suite #304, New York, NY 10016. To schedule an appointment call us at 212 696-5900