What is a sprain?
Sprains are a common type of ligament injury involving overstretching or tearing. Ligaments are multistrand tissues that connect bones. Ligaments in your feet and ankles include:
- Plantar fascia
- Plantar calcaneonavicular
- Calcaneocuboid
- Deltoid
- Calcaneonavicular
- Syndesmosis
- Anterior talofibular
- Posterior talofibular
- Calcaneofibular
- Lateral talocalcaneal
The most common sprains usually occur in the ankles. An inversion ankle sprain occurs when you roll your ankle inwards. It affects the ligaments outside of your ankle, including the anterior talofibular, posterior talofibular, or calcaneofibular ligaments.
An eversion ankle sprain occurs when you roll your ankle outwards. It affects the deltoid ligaments in your inner ankle.
What are the symptoms of a sprain?
Sprains usually cause symptoms right away. In a ligament tear, you might hear a popping sound as the injury occurs.
Typical sprain symptoms include swelling, pain, redness, and bruising. Depending on how severe your injury is, you might have difficulty standing or walking as well.
How are sprains and strains different?
Rather than ligaments, strains affect tendons or muscles inside your foot. The symptoms of sprains and strains are frequently similar, but you need treatment customized for the particular injury, so it's important to get an accurate diagnosis.
How do you treat sprains?
To determine the optimal treatment course, the Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, PA, team evaluates your injury with a careful exam. They may use X-rays, MRIs, or both to fully assess and diagnose ligament damage.
The team prescribes personalized treatments that encourage ligament healing. These may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Compression
- Immobilization with brace
- Strengthening and flexibility exercises
- Custom orthotics
Your ligament can usually heal naturally, but it's important to use podiatrist-prescribed protocols to ensure that you're in a good position to do so.
In some cases, for example, when you completely sever a ligament, you might need surgical intervention. The board-certified foot and ankle surgeons at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, PA, regularly perform foot reconstructive surgery, including repairs of severe foot and ankle sprains.
When you have a sprain, don’t suffer needlessly at home. The experienced and caring podiatrists at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Specialists, PA, can put you on track to recovery quickly. Call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online.
