Around 25,000 people sprain their ankles in the United States every day that need medical care. With that many injuries, it’s not surprising that sprained ankles are something almost everyone has experienced at least once.
When it comes to diagnosing and treating sprained ankles, most people choose to take matters in their own hands, which means the number of ankle sprains is actually much higher than what’s reported.
Before deciding to diagnose and self treat an ankle injury yourself, make sure you don’t need to seek medical attention first. If you experience any of these issues, please consult a medical professional:
If you heard a “popping” sound when the injury occurred, this may indicate you have a torn ligament or fracture
If your injury shows no improvement after three to four days of rest, ice, and compression
If you can’t walk due to pain or your ankle feels extremely unstable when you stand
If anything looks abnormal when compared to the opposite leg or ankle
Type of Ankle Sprains
Generally speaking, there are two types of ankle sprains that are diagnosed depending on where the injury is located on the ankle: low ankle sprains and high ankle sprains.
Low Ankle Sprains
A low ankle sprain is the most common ankle injury, accounting for nearly 80% of all ankle injuries. It happens when your ankle rolls inward, stretching the ligaments that connect the bones on the outside of your ankle joint. The medical term for this type of injury is called an inversion ankle sprain. The alternative to an inversion sprain is an eversion sprain. This happens when your ankle rolls outward, stretching the inside ligaments that connect the bones of your ankle joint.
High Ankle Sprains
A high ankle sprain occurs when your foot or ankle externally rotates and stretches the tissue holding your two lower leg bones (tibia & fibula) together. This injury occurs above the ankle joint which is why it has the name “high ankle” injury. The medical term for this type of injury is called a syndesmotic ankle injury, and it causes more pain and requires a longer rehabilitation period when compared to a low ankle injury.
Diagnosing a Sprained Ankle
When you sprain your ankle, a medical professional will measure the grade of the sprain according to its level of severity and provide an appropriate treatment plan.
Grade 1 Sprain (Mild)
A mild sprain happens when your ligament is stretched, and it is usually accompanied by some swelling and a little soreness. If you can walk on your ankle 24 to 48 hours after the injury occurs with little to no pain, you probably have a grade 1 sprain.
Grade 2 Sprain (Moderate)
A moderate sprain happens when your ligament is partially torn, and it is usually accompanied by swelling and discoloration. You may also experience weight bearing pain. If 24 to 48 hours after your injury it is too painful to stand or walk, you may require crutches or a semi-rigid ankle brace designed to reduces weight bearing pain.
Grade 3 Sprain (Severe)
A severe sprain happens when there is a complete tear of your ligament, and it is usually accompanied by swelling, discoloration, weight bearing pain, and some noticeable ankle instability. If 24 to 48 hours after your injury it is too painful to stand or even walk seek medical attention immediately as this instability may cause further damage if untreated properly.
RECOVERY & REHABILITATION
Your ankle joint is supported by ligaments, and once these ligaments are stretched or torn due to an ankle sprain, they remain stretched. This causes your joint to become loose and unstable, and this makes getting another ankle injury much easier. To stop the inevitable cycle of recurring future ankle injuries, take proper steps to recover from your ankle sprain by treating and rehabbing your injury properly.
After one sprained ankle, you are 70% more likely to sustain another ankle injury. That’s why we highly recommended you complete strength and balance exercises post-injury as well as wear a preventative ankle brace to help prevent or reduce the severity of future ankle injuries, if and when they may occur.
The best ankle braces for sprained ankles are those that allow for a full, natural range of motion while stabilizing the sides of your joint. You should be able to move in all of the ways needed to keep your joints strong, only restricting any excess movement that’s going to result in an injury.
For grade 3, acute, and high ankle sprains, your physician may prescribe a walking boot during recovery. Once you’re ready for more mobility, you should never transition straight from a walking boot to an outdated lace-up brace or nothing at all. Make sure the ankle brace you wear during your recovery has rigid stabilization to help alleviate weight bearing pain while supporting your ankle during it’s healing.
“Our daughter, who plays Middle & Outside Hitter partially tore her lower tendon & a few ligaments during a volleyball scrimmage & was ordered by the orthopedic doctor to wear a boot for at least 6 weeks, missing over half of her travel volleyball season. We had heard about an ultra ankle brace from my husband’s prosthetist and checked out your website. We ordered an Ultra CTS brace and she started to use it at week 3 after her injury. She was not able to jump, but it did help keep her practicing with her teammates instead of just sitting on the bench. We were so pleased with the CTS brace, that we went ahead and ordered two of the Ultra Zoom braces for her to wear on the uninjured ankle for now, and on the injured ankle, after it heals completely. We have been VERY pleased with the performance of both braces!”
