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How to Prevent Chronic Instability Following a Severe Ankle Sprain
The ankle is one of the most commonly injured body parts, accounting for up to 40% of sports-related injuries. You can sprain your ankle by walking on uneven surfaces, not wearing proper footwear during sports, falling, or landing awkwardly after jumping or pivoting. Sustaining a severe ankle sprain increases the risk of chronic instability if you don’t treat it effectively.
If you’ve sprained your ankle and want to maximize recovery, see Jason Armstrong, DPM, in Shenandoah and Humble, Texas, for an evaluation and treatments that offer optimal healing and lasting results.
Symptoms of a sprained ankle
Symptoms of a sprained ankle to be aware of include:
- Difficulty walking
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Warmth
- Redness
- Ankle pain
- Ankle tenderness
- Restricted range of motion
- Instability
- Popping sounds during the injury
Ankle sprains are mild, moderate, or severe. They may heal on their own with rest and ice, or require medical intervention to ensure a complete recovery.
Ways to treats sprained ankle
Treating an ankle sprain may consist of one or more of the following solutions:
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
- Medications
- Massage therapy
- Crutches or other assistive devices
- Splinting or bracing
- Physical therapy
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT)
- Corticosteroid injections
- Stem cells
- Ankle surgery
Dr. Armstrong might suggest surgery if your sprain is severe, you continuously roll your ankle, or you have ongoing chronic instability due to a severe sprain.
The time it takes to recover from a sprained ankle depends on the severity of your injury. You might experience complete healing after just two weeks in the case of a minor sprain, or 12 weeks of recovery after a severe sprain.
How to prevent chronic ankle instability after a sprain
To support ankle sprain recovery and reduce the risk of complications, it’s helpful to take a few important steps. First and foremost, undergo treatment for a severe ankle sprain with Dr. Armstrong.
During and after healing, choose comfortable footwear (not high heels), wear a brace during training as needed, avoid exercising on uneven surfaces, and avoid intense exercise (especially cutting and jumping) until your injury completely heals.
It’s also critical to warm up before working out, stretch regularly, avoid overtraining, and adopt sports-specific training. Cross-training is often helpful. Complete physical therapy, stability/balance training, endurance and agility exercises, and strength training as directed by Dr. Armstrong or your physical therapist.
Maximize healing after a severe ankle sprain with Jason Armstrong, DPM, to prevent chronic instability by contacting us today by phone or requesting an evaluation online.