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Treat Sprained Ankles Promptly

A sprained or strained ankle can occur without much warning as the ankle rolls outwards while your foot is still firmly planted on the ground. This causes an immense amount of pressure on the ligaments and tendons that hold the ankle joint together, and when these components stretch or break, the result is often extreme pain, bruising, redness, swelling, and an inability to walk on the affected foot.

Treatments for an ankle sprain include:

  • Rest, ice, compression, and elevation— Reducing movement and raising of the ankle joint should be followed by application of ice and the taking of ibuprofen to help reduce pain and inflammation. Wrapping the ankle with a bandage will help prevent bruising and elevation helps fluid drainage.
  • Immobilization and stress relief—A rigid boot may be required in order to walk, or crutches may be utilized to remove weight during the healing process.
  • Strength and flexibility exercises—During the healing process it is very important to slowly strengthen it and improve flexibility or the ankle joint without causing a new injury. Determine a proper physical therapy regimen with your podiatrist and stick to it.
  • Surgical repair—Severe ankle injuries will require reconstructive surgery to repair damaged bones, muscles, and ligaments. Repair tendons can be grafted from nearby healthy structures. Loose pieces of bone can also be removed.

Improper treatment of ankle sprains can lead to poor healing dynamics, leaving the ankle joint more likely to have a re-injury, so see your foot doctor for the best outcome. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists uses advanced technologies to treat a variety of foot and ankle problems. Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high-quality care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, Downingtown, and Woodlyn. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment today!

 

 

 

 

 

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