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Ankle Sprains 101

Posted July 20, 2008 at 10:55 AM by Kathleen Blanchard

Section: Her Health, Injury & Rehab

Ankle sprains are common injuries.  For most of us, they seem to occur at the most unlikely moments, like when we’re walking across the grass, or on uneven pavement.  Outdoor activities increase the risk of developing sprains and strains, such as running in the sand, or mowing the lawn, but even sharp turns while playing sports can lead to ankle sprain and strain.  Ill-fitting shoes, obesity, and previous ankle injuries increase our susceptibility to sprains.

Most injuries occur when the ankle is turned outward (eversion) or inward (inversion). The lateral, or outside of ligaments are the most commonly injured.  The ensuing throbbing and swelling is a sign that you need to perform some first aid. The painful symptoms are the result of stretching the ligaments that connect the anklebones.  Those ligaments can only stretch so far before they become damaged.  It’s important to know when to see a doctor, and when home treatment is enough.  Regardless, of the outcome, it’s imperative that you remember the acronym RICE when dealing with an ankle injury – REST, ICE, COMPRESSION (apply an elastic bandage or ankle support), and ELEVATION (above the level of the heart).  Ice is essential for first aid.  After 48 hours, it’s safe to use heat, or even alternate ice and heat to the area.  Healing time is usually six weeks – patience and care are needed during healing to prevent re-injury and long- term problems.

Types of Ankle Sprains

It’s “just a sprain” can carry serious implications, if the degree of injury is severe.  Ankle injuries fall into three categories - Grade I, II and III.  Grade I injuries can usually be self-managed.  Damage to the ligaments is minor, involving microscopic changes that heal most quickly, and without residual ankle instability. Grade II injuries also should heal well, but mean that the ligament may be partially torn.  Recovery time may be longer, pain is more pronounced, as well as the amount of initial swelling. Grade III, or third degree ankle sprains usually result in ankle instability, and mean the ligaments have been torn. 

Your doctor should provide a definite diagnosis, based on the degree of bruising, swelling and tenderness. X-Rays will probably be performed. Physical therapy can help strengthen the joint and prevent recurring injury. Rarely, surgery might be needed to reconstruct torn ligaments, followed by application of a cast for approximately six weeks, and followed by rehabilitative exercises.

If you have a history of frequent or suffer a new ankle sprains, take extra care.  Remember, to Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate to prevent complications, and see your doctor for a full evaluation.

Kathleen Blanchard is a Registered Nurse and freelance health author.  Visit her blog for more health news and information.


130 Responses to “Ankle Sprains 101” (Leave a reply)
  1. Most minor ankle sprains heal in less than two months; however, more severe cases might take longer to heal. Severe ankle sprains, repeated sprains and fractures might require surgery. These conditions often respond well to surgical procedures.

  2. fairings from Canada said:

    I only have one rule for ankle sprains - go to the doctor. But definitely, I will remember R.I.C.E.

  3. Thank God I found this article. My ankle’s been aching for almost two months now. I’ll go do RICE! Thanks!

  4. Since I am fat, I am more susceptible to sprains. Thanks for the info, now i know what to do.

  5. hieyeglasses said:

    Great tip! Is there a way to prevent ankle sprain?

  6. Gr8 suggestion.

    looking forward to more on this.

    Thanks keep it up

  7. Very good suggestion. Thank you! But if it really doesn’t work, you should go see the doctor to be sure.

  8. Kit Kat from Singapore said:

    I usually go to the chinese doctor when i sprain my leg, it usually works and some how it will fasten the recover process. Anyway thank you for sharing, when it come to injury, I will try anything that works. I will try your RICE method if got chance.

  9. Just take it easy and don’t force yourself to walk a lot. Visit a doctor and get better.

  10. I’m really impressed with your article, that was exactly what I was looking for.

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  13. MJ from NYC said:

    Great post. I have had my fair share of ankle injuries. If you have a semi-serious one, I would recommend an Aircast. You can buy them anywhere and they really stabilize your ankle so you can walk pain free and even exercise!

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  14. Thank you for this kinda information, it was a really good read for me :)

  15. The best cure for ankle sprains—go see the doctor! Just to be sure :O)

  16. I will remember RICE. This is a great tip. Thanks.

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  18. I normally have ankle sprains since I was in college.. That was really hurts where I can hardly walk well..

  19. Todd from West deptford,NJ said:

    I Love it what kind of trauma cause sprains

  20. Tom from westdeptford,Nj said:

    #### you

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  23. Entertainers from Denmark said:

    It’s a good thing I came across this site and have read this article, as an entertainer, I sometimes sprain my ankles. Thank you so much for posting this!

  24. Flood Damage said:

    My Mother always swore that using a cloth soaked in warm vinegar would helped a sprained ankle. I used it a few times myself and it did help it to feel better, but I honestly believe it was just the warm cloth and not the vinegar that helped. Even though ice packs are said to help, I never could stand the cold of them.

  25. Great article.Thanks a lot of sharing this with us all.

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  27. hey...great post. thanks for sharing it.

  28. Freelife from United States said:

    Thanks a lot for such a nice suggestion for ankle sprains but God may not if I will face such an injure then 1st I’ll go to doctor and if this doesn’t work then i will do all this that you have mentioned above.

  29. Hi there,
    Wonderful post, thanks a lot.
    So i agree that physical therapy can help. Just reviewed some other site about health, his owner have such survey as me.
    P.S. Kathleen Blanchard, please post more about physical therapy, you’r articles it’s great.
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  30. Migraine said:

    Good article. Enjoyed it immensely.

  31. Hemorrhoids said:

    Like your many other blog writings this “Ankle Sprains” is another great offer...This is true that we all have to be aware of our every single hurt in our body..I do find immense encouraging elements in your blog...Thanks for your brilliant sharing

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  34. I usually go to doctor whenever I get a sprain.  But I will make sure to try R I C E this time.  Thanks for the suggestions.

    -Mini

  35. This has been really informative.  I didn’t realize there were different grades of sprains.

  36. RemeD. from Los Angeles said:

    Another thing you should think about: if the sprain does not completely go away, despite the RICE method, you should go to a doctor.  That happened to me.  I had a bad sprain from snowboarding, but after a year of doing the RICE, it was still there.  The doctor found something serious and I ended up with ankle surgery.
    ---------
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  38. I didn’t realize there were different grades of sprains. Really it shocked me!
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  39. I used it a few times myself and it did help it to feel better, but I honestly believe it was just the warm cloth and not the vinegar that helped. Even though ice packs are said to help, I never could stand the cold of them.

  40. That was clever of you to have thought of the acronym RICE! Thanks!

  41. Crystal from Long Beach, CA said:

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  42. This was very nice written article. I am looking forward to new posts from you!

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  44. Hello Kathleen Blanchard, Thanks for sharing nice and good information. I read your entire post and really very nice and good explanation on Ankle sprains. Thanks for give us nice guideline.

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  46. very nice written article.

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    The lateral, or outside of ligaments are the most commonly injured.  The ensuing throbbing and swelling is a sign that you need to perform some first aid.

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  50. What will happen if the ligament in the ankle got teared off and the patients age is more and there is no possibility of ligament jointment on its own.

  51. This was a great article...I believe the emphasis you placed on RICE was spot on.

  52. Ankle sprains are the darndest, they can cause serious ailments down there.

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  54. Cozy heat from Gurgoan said:

    Thanks dear, after reading your post, I also want to mention a local treatment.. laid on floor, chest should be floor site and say to some one else that give pressure on the front part of leg and hold by ankle and push towards him self. By doing it you can get relief by ankle sprain.........
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  55. Good healthy tips and preventive ideas for safety reasons.

  56. Thanks very much for sharing this useful information. Ice is the best treatment for ankle sprain. Ice counteracts the increased blood flow to the injured area, reduces the swelling, redness, and warmth.

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  57. Used vans from UK said:

    I understand the rice principle as in the rest, ice, compression and elevation but why use alternating heat and ice? Isn’t the idea to reduce the swelling so how would the heat help?

    Chloe

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  63. Its very informative article. Thanks very much for sharing this useful information. Ice is the best treatment for ankle sprain. Ice counteracts the increased blood flow to the injured area, reduces the swelling, redness, and warmth.

  64. Four days ago, I was playing basketball and when I went up to block a shot, I landed on someones foot and my ankle sprained. Xrays came out negative. Every day the bruising seems to get worse, and its hard to walk. I’m really angry because I have a championship game tomorrow and I can’t play. After that there is state championships which is Tuesday. The outside of my ankle is all purple. Does anyone know how long this ankle sprain will last?

  65. Because of its weight-bearing function and the construction of its articulation, the ankle is the most commonly injured joint among athletes.thanks.very informative post.

  66. Thanks for sharing such nice and great post. Its very informative and useful. Its very helpful for those who are looking for these kind for information.

  67. liposuction said:

    Twisting your ankle, rolling your ankle, stepping on your foot wrong. All of these can result in a sprained ankle.thanks very informative post.thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post with us.

  68. these r some i can think of jump from empire state building a person who weighed 400 pound sat on ur leg 4 24 hours u got beaten up with a metal stick on ur leg repeatedly. thanks.

  69. Before two month i had faced the same situation. I never forget that experience. I had follow many of these advises these are very helpful.

  70. r4 said:

    Thanks for such nice and healthy info. I will mind it and follow it.

  71. It’s “just a sprain” can carry serious implications, if the degree of injury is severe.  Ankle injuries fall into three categories - Grade I, II and III.  Grade I injuries can usually be self-managed.  Damage to the ligaments is minor, involving microscopic changes that heal most quickly, and without residual ankle instability. Grade II injuries also should heal well, but mean that the ligament may be partially torn.  Recovery time may be longer, pain is more pronounced, as well as the amount of initial swelling. Grade III, or third degree ankle sprains usually result in ankle instability, and mean the ligaments have been torn.

  72. whiter teeth said:

    Several studies support the theory that ankle sprains frequently involve disruption in ankle proprioceptive preventing the ankle from being able to protect itself.
    Proprioception is similar to balance in that it provides a sense of joint position and movement.
    The ability to adjust preconception helps prevent ankle sprains by helping the muscle respond to abnormal positions and situations.

  73. Thanks for the article on ankle sprains!

  74. Thanks for sharing such nice and great post. Its very informative and useful.

  75. X-Rays will probably be performed. Physical therapy can help strengthen the joint and prevent recurring injury. Rarely, surgery might be needed to reconstruct torn ligaments, followed by application of a cast for approximately six weeks, and followed by rehabilitative exercises..
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  76. Yes, ankle sprains are pretty common and don’t require high medicine techniques to solve the problem. In most cases a massage is just about enough, it’s recommended for a doctor to do that. If we try to fix things ourselves then we risk to complicate them even more.

  77. nuoc hoa said:

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  78. Great post and good advice for anyone looking to resume their workout routine after an ankle injury.

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  81. I have read a lot on this topic, but you definitely give it a good vibe. This is a great post. Will be back to read more.

  82. Ankle sprain treatment centers around controlling your swelling, resting, and then exercises or rehab to restore your strength and balance. An ankle brace is a good idea for returning to sports activities to help provide additional support, and to help prevent re-injury.

  83. Great post! I love this blog

  84. Ankle sprains are definitely common and you’ve given very good tips, I used to run a lot and walk very fast but many times I noticed some kind of pain in my calves maybe related to my weight or not warmed up properly, ankle sprain is very painful so make sure you do every research before planning to run on heavy surfaces and on heavy bodies.

  85. itis not quite the right word… let me just say I needed this after the incessant chatter in the media

  86. It’s a precise and informative article

  87. Interesting info.

    I sprained my knee once, because I was tired and too stupid to stop skiing. I sure paid for that stupidity.

    I turn a foot now and then on rocks, etc ... Since working out, it’s not so big of a deal. But, stupid things happen all of the time ... holes you don’t see, etc ...

  88. tower defense from USA said:

    A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament.An ankle sprain can happen when you fall, when you suddenly twist your ankle too far, or when you force the joint out of it’s normal position.Initial treatments might include giving rest to your ankle,using ice packs and so on.But if the condition gets serious then do rush to an expert.

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  90. Persol from USA said:

    The severity of an ankle sprain depends on how badly the ligaments are stretched or torn. If the sprain in mild, there may not be much pain or swelling, and the ligaments may only be stretched. If the sprain is severe, one of more ligaments may be torn, and the join may be severely swollen. A severe sprain can also be extremely painful.

  91. Your doctor will usually be able to tell if you have a sprain by asking you some questions about how the injury occurred and by examining your ankle. You doctor may also want to take an x-ray of your ankle to make sure that it’s not fractured or broken.

  92. Flamingos from Brazil said:

    If your sprain is mild, your doctor may suggest that you start trying to use your ankle again fairly soon--from 1 to 3 days after your injury.

  93. Special exercises are sometimes needed to regain strength and to help reduce the chance of ongoing problems. Your ankle may need to be supported by taping or bracing to help protect it from re-injury.

  94. If you need medicine to ease the pain, try acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin, Nuprin).

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  96. They really come in a bad time, don’t they? I think every sportsmen experienced at least one of these ankle sprain episodes. I used to recover with steroids if I didn’t have any competition, they would help “speeding” the recovery process in order to go on with my training.

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  99. The only thing worse than an ankle sprain is true shin splints.  I guess they are similar types of injuries.  I developed them in the Marine Corps and now when I give my son a “turbo boost” while pushing him in his umbrella stroller then end up getting inflamed.

  100. Putting ice on your ankle can be very helpful, but you also need to be careful. The cold can damage nerves if the ice is left in place too long.

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