Ankle sprain is triggered whenever you roll, turn, or twist your ankle in an awkward or incorrect way. It might also be caused due to a recent accident or inflammation.
Your ankle is connected through tough ligaments. Whenever these ligaments experience wear and tear or are forced beyond their normal range of motion, you will start facing excruciating pain.
To get a more detailed idea on ankle sprain causes, symptoms, types, and treatment, read on!
Ankle Sprain Symptoms
Based on the severity of your injury, your ankle pain symptoms will differ. Some of them are -
- Constant pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Restricted motion
- Instability while running or walking
Causes of Ankle Sprain
One of the most common ankle sprain causes is when a person’s foot rolls or twists and pushes the ankle joint out of its original position. Some of the other ankle pain causes are -
- Tripping on uneven surfaces
- Loss of balance
- Landing incorrectly after a long jump
- Participating in sports like basketball, football, tennis, & soccer that involve rolling or twisting of the foot
Types of Ankle Sprain
The severity of pain caused by an ankle sprain is dependent on how much the ligament has been damaged. It can be divided into 3 parts.
Grade 1 (Mild)
The fibers in the ligaments are slightly stretched or have experienced a minor tear. Your ankle pain symptom for Grade 1 situation will be minor swelling and tenderness when you touch.
Grade 2 (Moderate)
In Grade 2, the ligament is almost torn. Your ankle will have swelling from the injury, and it will hurt whenever you try to move.
Grade 3 (Severe)
Grade 3 pain is the most severe. In this condition, the ligament of the ankle is completely tethered. You will experience significant swelling, pain in the injured area, and discomfort & pain while walking. The ankle sprain symptoms in Grade 3 are intense and one must avoid reaching this stage.
Ankle Sprain Treatment
If you’ve been experiencing ankle pain for some time, at one point or the other, you must have wondered, ‘how to treat a sprained ankle?’ Here is the best ankle sprain treatment options that you can explore.
Protection
Brace your ankles & use crutches to support your injured ankle.
Rest
Rest it out and limit your physical activities that might cause stress to the sprain. Avoid running, exercising or jumping to give your ankles the care they deserve.
Ice
Apply a cold pack or ice wrapped in a towel in 20-minute increments to reduce your joint pain or swelling.
Compression
Use an elastic bandage to wrap your ankle in order to decrease the swelling.
Elevation
Raise your ankle and keep it at an elevated position higher than your heart.
Conclusion
Ankle sprains are more complicated than a general injury. Treating it the right way is of the utmost importance to get effective relief. To ensure your ankles get the care they deserve, you can try three60+ Joint Pain Relief Tablets and improve your well-being.
FAQs
1) How long does it take for an ankle sprain to heal?
A mild sprain can take up to 1 to 3 weeks to heal. If left untreated, it can lead to moderate or severe ankle sprain that can last up to several weeks.
2) Can I walk on a sprained ankle?
If your ankle sprain is mild, you can walk but you might require a crutch or a bandage to protect your joints.
3) Is a sprained ankle serious?
Severe sprained ankle may cause long-term issues or chronic issues. So, it is best to take care of your ankle sprain as soon as it is diagnosed.
