6 / 8
6
q
When is a
sprain
just a
sprain?
It’s best to let
a doctor decide
SHE
didn’t see the hole until after
she fell into it and her foot twisted
underneath her at an ugly angle.
That’s when Emma Wayne* knew
she had sprained her ankle.
It wasn’t the first time she had
done it. Based on past experiences,
Wayne decided she didn’t need to see
a doctor. It was just another sprain.
And that’s how Wayne became
anecdotal proof of the importance of
seeing a doctor anytime you suspect
an ankle sprain.
From mild to severe
A sprain is an injury of the liga-
ments, elastic bands of tissue that
hold the bones of a joint in place.
According to the American Acad-
emy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, liga-
ments are made to stretch. But like
a rubber band, a ligament can only
stretch so far. And if your foot lands
too hard on an uneven surface or
rolls or twists, your ankle ligaments
may sprain in protest.
Sprains can be mild, moderate or
severe, and each requires different
treatment for proper healing.
According to medical experts,
RICE is usually sufficient for a mild
sprain. That’s an acronym for:
Rest.
Use crutches or other means
to stay off your ankle.
Ice.
Apply ice for 20 minutes at a
time to ease tenderness and bruising.
Compression.
Wrap your ankle
with an elastic bandage.
Elevation.
Raise your foot above
your heart for 48 hours to reduce
swelling.
RICE is a good start for treating
moderate sprains too. Your doctor
might also suggest putting your an-
kle in a splint or brace. For a severe
sprain, you may need a cast. And all
ankle sprains need some rehabilita-
tion, including doctor-prescribed
exercises, for a full recovery.
Take it to an expert
Wayne assumed this last sprain
was like all the others. As a matter of
fact, it turned out to be more seri-
ous. An x-ray revealed she had also
broken a bone.
Ankle sprains that aren’t treated
quickly and correctly can lead to
long-term pain and instability.
So the next time you twist your
ankle, let a doctor tell you what’s
wrong and how best to treat it.
*Name has been changed.
Additional source: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
A surgical
solution
Surgery for a sprained ankle? It
happens.
And it underlines the importance
of letting your doctor evaluate an
ankle injury, even if you’re sure it’s
only a sprain. Here’s why:
You might also have a fracture.
A sprain is a ligament injury. That
means whatever happened to your
ankle, it was enough to overstretch
or even tear tissue. Maybe it was also
enough to break a bone.
Your ligament injury may be se-
vere.
Even if you’re fracture-free, your
ligaments might need surgical repair.
You may have long-term insta-
bility.
If an ankle sprain isn’t treated
right away, it may not heal right. It
might feel weak and wrong during
exercise, even if you brace it well.
Nonsurgical treatment can often
address this instability, but in some
cases, surgical correction may be the
best option.
For any of the above, your doctor
will likely want to take an in-depth
look at your ankle.
Expect to have imaging tests, such
as an x-ray or MRI.
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons;
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Bring your hurt ankle
to Perry County
Orthopedics &
Sports Medicine. Call
768-3396.