Sprains Specialist

What are sprains?

Sprains are injuries that stretch the ligaments in your foot or ankle too far. Beyond a certain point, the ligament can’t extend any farther, and the fibers start to tear. There are three kinds of sprain:

Grade 1 sprain (mild)

Slight stretching with some damage to the ligament fibers.

Grade 2 sprain (moderate)

The ligament partially tears, and the joint feels loose when moved in specific ways.

Grade 3 sprain (severe)

The ligament tears completely, making the joint unstable.

Symptoms of sprains include pain that gets worse when standing or walking, swelling and bruising, and tenderness when touching the injured area. You might also have trouble making particular movements with your foot or ankle, and it could feel weak and likely to give way.

If a sprained ankle doesn’t get the proper treatment, it can become permanently weak. This makes you more likely to injure the ankle again.

How are sprains diagnosed?

To diagnose the cause of your symptoms, your provider at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists looks at your medical history and does a physical exam. They also ask you how the injury happened and what symptoms you’ve been experiencing.

If they need to look at the inside of your foot or ankle, they can do an on-site digital X-ray or ultrasound. Both these tests are noninvasive and painless.

Sprains have similar symptoms to injuries like strains and fractures. These injuries quite often happen at the same time, too, so it can be difficult to know which one you have.

A visit to Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists provides you with a prompt, accurate diagnosis so that you can get the proper treatment right away.

How are sprains treated?

When you first injure your ankle or foot, you should use the RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, elevation.

This means you rest your ankle or foot and apply an ice pack, wrap the area in a bandage that puts even pressure on the injury, and raise your ankle above the level of your heart. These first aid steps help prevent swelling and protect the area from further tissue damage.

The team at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists provide effective treatments for sprains, including:

• Crutches or canes
• Ankle braces
• Casts or CAM boots
• Physical therapy
• Strengthening exercises
• Balancing exercises
• Medication
• Stem cell therapy
• Steroid injections

Most grade 1 and 2 sprains heal within four weeks. Severe sprains that need a cast or splint take longer and can take up to eight weeks to heal. Some sprains, where the ligament can’t heal by itself, require surgery to repair or replace the damaged tissues. It can take up to eight months to heal after surgery for a sprain.

For expert care of foot and ankle sprains, call Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists today or request an appointment online.