What Is an Ankle Sprain? Northridge & Oxnard CA

An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle, usually on the outside of the ankle. Ligaments are bands of tissue – like rubber bands – that connect one bone to another and bind the joints together. In the ankle joint, ligaments provide stability by limiting side-to-side movement. Some ankle sprains are much worse than others. The severity of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn, or completely torn, as well as on the number of ligaments involved. Ankle sprains are not the same as strains, which affect muscles rather than ligaments.

What Are the Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain?

The symptoms of an ankle sprain depend on the severity of the injury. Most ankle sprains cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in the ankle joint. The injured person may also be able to feel or see a bump or deformity in the ankle. The ankle may feel unstable when walking or standing on it. In severe cases, there may also be:

The symptoms of an ankle sprain may look like other medical conditions or problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Ankle sprains are graded from I to III according to their severity:

Treatment for Ankle Sprain

Treatment for an ankle sprain depends on the severity of the injury. If it is mild, rest is usually all that is needed. If it is severe or complicated, additional treatment may be needed to protect the joint and restore normal function.

If an ankle sprain involves ligaments, surgery may be necessary to repair them. If a bone has been fractured, surgery may be required to stabilize it and allow proper healing so that a person can walk normally again.

In some cases, people with an ankle sprain need physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion in the affected joints.