Why Prompt Care of a Sprained Ankle Is Important

Sprained ankles happen when your ankle shifts rapidly in the wrong direction, stretching, straining, or even tearing the ligaments that hold your ankle joint together. Depending on the severity of your injury, you might need rest and other home treatments or medical care.

At Town Center Foot & Ankle in Kingwood and Atascocita, Texas, our podiatry care team, led by Stephen Eichelsdorfer, DPM, can diagnose the severity of your sprain and recommend the best treatment options to preserve and support your ankle joint.

Here’s what “Dr. Ike” wants his new and existing patients to know about handling a sprained ankle and why you need to get checked out promptly if you have this type of injury.

Long-term risks associated with ankle sprains

Sprains can range from mild to severe. You can sprain your ankle if you slip and fall, or if you turn or roll your ankle.

Some sprains heal with rest and at-home care. If you have a severely torn ligament in your ankle it might not be able to heal on its own and you might need surgical treatment for a complete repair. 

An ankle that continues to hurt long after a sprain indicates your joint hasn’t healed completely or correctly and may need medical attention.

Without the right treatment for your sprained ankle, you face an increased risk of damaging the joint down the road. If you don’t fully rehabilitate your ankle joint you could deal with arthritis, chronic ankle pain, and continued joint instability in the years to come.

What you can do to treat a sprained ankle

You might not have severe symptoms like bruising and swelling right after you sprain your ankle. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a doctor to check your injury right away. If we can diagnose a severe sprain early enough, you stand a better chance of avoiding complications with your ankle joint down the road.

You might just need to rest for a while if you have a mild sprain by staying off your ankle and keeping it elevated. Icing at regular intervals can also help to bring down inflammation and swelling and reduce associated discomfort. If you need anti-inflammatory medications, Dr. Ike can prescribe them for you.

Professional treatment and support for sprains

Dr. Ike and our team at Town Center Foot & Ankle offer professional treatment options for severe sprains. You might need a walking boot or bracing to support your ankle joint while it heals. We can also support you with in-office physical therapy. If you need surgical treatment, Dr. Ike specializes in minimally invasive techniques to reduce the incision size and recovery time.

After you heal from a serious sprain, Dr. Ike may recommend custom orthotic inserts to increase the ongoing stability of your ankle joint. Repeated sprains of the same joint can worsen your risk of long-term damage, so take good care of your sprained ankle during and after the healing process.

For an evaluation of your sprained ankle, get in touch with our team at Town Center Foot & Ankle today. Request your appointment with our online tool or give us a call now.