Ankle Sprains: Types, Prevention, and Treatment

Whether you simply stepped the wrong way while walking down the stairs, or you’re an athlete who injured your ankle during a game, ankle sprains can be quite painful. And they require the right treatment to heal quickly and correctly. Today, Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists is sharing all you need to know about ankle sprains and how to prevent them.

What Causes Ankle Sprains?
Ankles are made up of tendons and ligaments that let our feet rotate in a full range of motion. When you move beyond this range of motion, the ligaments that connect the foot and the ankle can tear or stretch, resulting in a sprained ankle.

Sprains are more common in people whose heels naturally turn in, who have a weak muscle that runs down the outside of the ankle, or anyone who previously had a sprained ankle.

Types of Ankle Sprains
When you visit your podiatrist, they will examine the foot to determine the type of sprain you have, either an:

• Eversion sprain which occurs when you roll your ankle inward;
• Inversion sprain which occurs when you roll the ankle outward;
• High ankle sprain which happens when the whole foot rolls outside and forces the leg to roll inward.
• All of these sprains will cause bruising and swelling and tenderness of the area. It may also be difficult to put weight on the foot.

Ankle Sprain Treatment
After you injure your ankle, even if there is limited bruising and swelling and you can put weight on the foot, it is still important to seek treatment from your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option.

In general, there are a couple of things that are important in the proper treatment of an ankle sprain and in preventing future injuries.

Reduce the Swelling: This can be done using the RICE technique, which includes rest, icing, compression, and elevating the feet.

Strengthen the ankle: When you can put weight on the ankle, it’s important that you perform exercises that will help build strength and prevent future injuries. Your podiatrist can recommend the best exercises.

Regardless of whether mild or serious, ankle sprains should be treated immediately by an experienced podiatrist. If you injure your foot, contact the office of Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists ASAP at (425) 455-0936 to book an appointment or schedule it online.