What I do to help my sprained ankle?
Sprained ankles are often underestimated in terms of how nasty and long lasting the pain and dysfunction can be. There are lots of ways to sprain your ankle! However, the usual mechanism is of twisting the foot inwards (and inversion sprain). This can stretch or even rupture the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. This will cause:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Possibly instability if the ligament is ruptured Grade 3 see below
This sort of injury is common is sports e.g. football, rugby, netball, but also “just” walking the dog on uneven ground!
Sprained ankles can be graded to describe how severe the injury is:
- Grade 1. A mild sprain. You will see mild swelling, bruising, and pain around your ankle. But you should be able to put some weight on your foot.
- Grade 2. A moderate sprain, which is where you partially tear a ligament. You will see quite a lot of swelling, bruising, and pain around your ankle. You may also find it difficult to put weight on your foot.
- Grade 3. A severe sprain, which happens when you completely tear a ligament. The swelling, bruising, and pain around your ankle is severe. Your ankle may feel quite wobbly (unstable). You won’t be able to put any weight on your foot without a lot of pain.
What can I do?
If it sounds like a Grade 3 injury you should get an X-ray to eliminate a fracture (broken bone). All grades benefit from the POLICE principal:
P = protect, a brace or splint
OL = optimal loading, careful return to activity
I = ice – apply for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day
C = Compression – apply a compression bandage
E = elevation
Will physiotherapy help?
Yes! It is certainly worth seeing us if the symptoms are persisting for more than a week. How can physio help?
- We can loan crutches if you need them
- Advise on gait and exercises to improve range of movement and balance, later on to improve strength
- Ultrasound, massage, taping if needed.
How Sara Gordon & Associates can help
At Sara Gordon & Associates, we offer physiotherapy treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. We welcome patients from Redhill, Reigate and nearby areas who are looking for effective treatment in a calm and supportive setting.
Whether you are dealing with back pain, a sports injury, joint stiffness or a longer-term issue, we are here to help you take the next step towards recovery.
If you are looking for trusted physiotherapy in Redhill or Reigate, get in touch with Sara Gordon & Associates to book an appointment.