When to Seek Professional Treatment for an Ankle Sprain

If you’re dealing with an ankle sprain, the best thing you can do is get it checked out by one of our expert podiatrists at South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, in San Antonio and Kerrville, Texas, as soon as possible. 

We’ll determine the severity of the sprain and provide treatment to help you heal properly and prevent any complications. Here, we give a detailed breakdown of why you should always leave ankle sprain evaluation and treatment to the experts. 

Understanding ankle sprain severity

You’re more likely than not to roll or twist your ankle at least once in your life, resulting in a sprain. Anyone can get an ankle sprain at any time — even just walking around your house to get chores done. Such injuries can range in severity, as categorized by the following grades:

Mild ankle sprains (grade one)

Here, the joint ligaments are stretched but not torn. Symptoms include mild pain, swelling, and tenderness. You can still bear weight and walk, and will probably experience only a minimal amount of pain.

Moderate ankle sprains (grade two)

With this injury, the joint’s ligaments are partially torn. Symptoms include significant ankle swelling, bruising, and pain, along with difficulty bearing weight and walking. 

Severe ankle sprains (grade three)

In a severe ankle sprain, the joint’s ligaments are completely torn. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, and instability. Walking and bearing weight are very painful and challenging.

When to see a podiatrist for a sprained ankle

When you get an ankle sprain, well-meaning loved ones are quick to suggest home remedies like icing it and staying off the affected foot for a day or two. Some may even advise you to just “walk it off,” saying you’ll be fine. 

However, while these tips (except for the “walking it off” advice) can help with minor ankle sprains, in more severe cases, toughing it out and not getting proper medical treatment can lead to chronic pain, cause the foot to become unstable, and even eventually require surgery.

So, how do you know if your sprained ankle needs professional attention? Here are some signs it’s time to book an appointment with our team:

• You have severe ankle pain or swelling
• Your symptoms don’t improve in a day or two
• You can’t put any weight on your injured ankle
• You have numbness or tingling in the affected limb
• The foot or ankle looks misshapen or deformed
• You’ve already had multiple ankle sprains

While mild sprains often get better with self-care methods like rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE method), moderate and severe sprains usually need more advanced medical treatment to heal correctly. 

Getting early expert care is critical. The sooner you get your ankle looked at, the sooner you can start treatment to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and restore function. Waiting too long to seek care increases your chances of developing complications, like long-term joint instability.

How a podiatrist can help your ankle sprain

When you come in for an ankle sprain at South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, we will carefully examine your foot and ankle, checking for tenderness, swelling, bruising, and instability. 

To rule out fractures and other more severe injuries, we also conduct an imaging test like an X-ray. Based on our findings after the physical exam and imaging test, we can determine the severity of your ankle sprain and recommend an effective treatment plan. 

Treatment options for your ankle sprain may include:

• Resting and protecting the ankle with a brace or walking boot
• Using crutches to keep weight off the ankle
• Applying ice packs to reduce pain and swelling
• Taking anti-inflammatory medications 
• Doing stretching and strengthening exercises
• Physical therapy to restore range of motion, strength, and stability

Surgery may be necessary to repair torn ligaments or treat other injuries like cartilage damage or bone chips. Most mild to moderate ankle sprains heal within two to six weeks with proper treatment. For more severe sprains, healing can take several months. 

As you heal, following your podiatrist’s instructions is vital. Pushing yourself too hard too soon can delay healing and increase your risk of re-injury. 

Your partner in expert foot and ankle care

Ankle sprains may be common, but that doesn’t mean they’re no big deal. Even a seemingly minor sprain can lead to significant problems if not adequately treated. 

If you’ve recently sprained your ankle, don’t suffer in silence or try to tough it out on your own. Schedule an appointment at your nearest South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, office in San Antonio or Kerrville, Texas, to get the expert care you need to recover quickly, safely, and completely.