Sprained ankle

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Sprained ankle
Synonyms	Twisted ankle, rolled ankle, ankle ligament injury
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Pain, swelling, bruising, instability of the ankle
Complications	Chronic pain, arthritis, ankle instability
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Days to weeks
Types	N/A
Causes	Inversion injury, eversion injury
Risks	Sports, uneven surfaces, previous ankle injuries
Diagnosis	Physical examination, X-ray, MRI
Differential diagnosis	Fracture, tendon injury, arthritis
Prevention	Ankle brace, strengthening exercises, proper footwear
Treatment	Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), physical therapy
Medication	NSAIDs
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Ankle inversion

Ankle brace for grade I or II sprain

Rehabilitation exercises for an ankle sprain

Adolescents vs general population ankle sprain incidences

Sprained ankle is a common medical condition that involves the tearing of the ligaments of the ankle. It typically occurs when the ankle is twisted or turned in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the ligaments that hold the ankle bones together.

Causes

A sprained ankle can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Twisting the ankle
• Rolling the ankle
• Awkwardly landing on the foot
• Walking or running on uneven surfaces
• Participating in sports that require cutting actions or rolling and twisting of the foot, such as soccer, football, basketball, and tennis.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a sprained ankle can vary depending on the severity of the injury. They may include:

• Pain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot
• Tenderness when you touch the ankle
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Restricted range of motion
• Instability in the ankle
• Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury

Diagnosis

A doctor or medical professional will diagnose a sprained ankle by performing a physical examination and asking about the circumstances of the injury. Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans may be used to rule out a broken bone or other injuries.

Treatment

Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury. It may include:

• Resting the ankle
• Ice application
• Compression bandages
• Elevation of the foot
• Pain relievers
• Physical therapy
• In severe cases, surgery may be required

Prevention

Prevention strategies for a sprained ankle include:

• Wearing supportive shoes
• Avoiding uneven surfaces
• Warming up before exercising
• Using caution during activities that can cause the ankle to twist
• Strengthening the muscles around the ankle

See also

• Ankle injuries
• Sports injuries
• Physical therapy

This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia