Ankle Wrap

An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments of the ankle, usually outside of the ankle. Ligaments are bands of tissue, such as rubber bands that connect bones to one another and bind the joints together. In the ankle joint, ligaments provide stability by limiting side to side movement. Some ankle sprains are much worse than others. The seriousness of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn or completely torn, as well as the number of ligaments involved. Ankle sprains are not the same as the strains which affect muscles rather than ligaments.








What causes a sprain?

sprains often the result of a fall, a sudden twist or a blow that forces the ankle joint to its normal position.Ankle sprains commonly occur while participating in sports activities, wearing shoes inappropriate or walking or running on uneven surfaces. Sometimes ankle sprains occur because of weak ankles, a condition that some people are born with. Previous ankle or foot injuries can also weaken and lead to ankle sprains.

Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of ankle sprains may include:
aec Pain or tenderness
aec Swelling
aec Bruising
aec Difficulty walking
aec joint stiffness

These symptoms can vary in intensity, depending on the severity of the sprain. Sometimes, the pain and swelling are absent in people with ankle sprains previous instead, they may simply feel the ankle is wobbly and unsteady when they walk. Even if you do not have pain or swelling of a sprained ankle, treatment is crucial. Any sprained ankle, whether it's your first or your fifth requires immediate medical attention.

If you think you've sprained ankle, contact your ankle and foot surgeon for an appointment as soon as possible. In the meantime, immediately begin to use the "RICE" method ET-R, I EC, ompression C, and E-Levati to help reduce swelling, pain and other injuries.

Why immediate medical attention is needed
There are four main reasons why a sprained ankle should be promptly evaluated and treated by a foot and ankle surgeon:
aec First, a sprained ankle untreated can lead to chronic ankle instability, a condition marked by persistent discomfort and a "yield" of ankle.You may also develop weakness in the leg.
aec Second, you have suffered a more serious injury of the ankle sprain. It could be a serious bone fracture that could lead to troubling complications if left untreated.
aec Third, an ankle sprain may be accompanied by a foot injury that causes discomfort, but went unnoticed until now.
aec Fourth, the rehabilitation of a sprained ankle should begin immediately. If rehabilitation is delayed, the injury may be less likely to heal properly. When evaluating your injury, the foot and ankle surgeon will take your history to learn more about the injury. He or she will examine the injured area, and may order X-rays, an MRI or CT scan study to determine the severity of the injury.

Non-surgical treatment and rehabilitation
When you have a sprained ankle, rehabilitation is crucial, and it starts when treatment begins. Your foot and ankle surgeon can recommend one or more of the following treatment options:
aec Immobilization. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may receive a short-leg cast, a walking boot or a pair of keep.