Ankle Sprain? Signs Of A Sprain And Treatment Tips
An ankle sprain can occur at any time, but for some reason it happens when you've done something like stepped wrong on the sidewalk, as opposed to something exciting like you were hiking up a mountain. An ankle sprain can feel very painful and can feel very much like a break. If you have a sprained ankle, but you aren't sure if this is what you have, there are some signs to watch out for. Read on for sprained ankle signs, as well as treatment tips.
Swelling
If you have a sprained ankle, one of the biggest signs will be swelling around the ankle. It can swell fairly large, usually on one side, or sometimes it's all around the ankle and even the foot can be swollen as well. The swelling can make wearing shoes difficult, so if need be, change your footwear to something that will allow your foot inside, such as shoes that sit low on the ankle.
Bruising Or Redness
You may have some bruising around the ankle or even redness along the ankle. The bruising can last several days after the sprain, or possibly longer depending on how well you heal. You may start with some redness and the bruising may not appear for a few days after the sprain occurs.
Tenderness
You may feel pain right at the ankle sight and it may be tender to the touch. If you have a break, you may not be able to move your ankle at all, but with a sprain, you should still be able to move it, although it will feel painful to do this.
Treatment Tips
To help you treat your ankle sprain, you should elevate your ankle while at rest and try not to move your ankle too much if possible. Don't put weight on it for a few days afterward to allow it time to heal properly. If you need crutches to help you get around, you should use them. You can rent crutches from your local pharmacy, or ask around to friends or family. You can ice your ankle to reduce swelling and to ease pain. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain as well. Wrap your ankle with a stretch bandage to keep your ankle set in place and to prevent too much movement.
If you think you have sprained your ankle, whether you did it while stepping out of your house or when you were skiing in Colorado on vacation, you should make an appointment with a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment help.
For more information, reach out to a podiatrist.
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