Patrick Hall, D.P.M. - Expert Ankle Conditions Doctor in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge Podiatrist for Ankle Sprains
Dr. Patrick Hall is a long-standing, respected expert in the field of podiatric medicine. He is board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and is a co-author of the 4th edition of McGlamry’s Comprehensive Textbook of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains
vary widely in severity. Most
ankle sprains are minor and resolve in a few days; whereas other sprains can take weeks and even months to fully resolve and rehabilitate. Signs upon injury such as hearing or feeling a “pop” are often signals of a more severe sprain and sometimes even a broken bone. Additional
symptoms of an ankle sprain include:
Swelling
Pain
Bruising
Stiffness
Inability to bear weight on the injured foot
High Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain typically involves the ligaments on the outside of the ankle (the lateral collateral ligaments). Ankle sprains affecting the syndesmosis are called high ankle sprains. These injuries are called this because they involve the ligaments above the ankle joint. The high ankle ligaments help hold together the lower leg bones (the tibia and fibula), and tremendous force is put upon them. A high ankle sprain can take twice as long to heal as a lateral ligament sprain.
Grades of Ankle Sprains
The traditional grading system for ankle sprains helps to determine the severity of the injury, guide treatment and establish prognosis. This system provides general guidelines; however, variations within this framework do occur. A Grade I ankle sprain is the least severe. This is a stretching of one or more of the ligaments which results in mild pain and tenderness. Usually, the patient can bear weight and has only mild stiffness in the ankle joint. A Grade II sprain is a moderate injury and can result in partial tearing of one or two of the ankle ligaments. Patients with a Grade II sprain have significant swelling and pain. Grade III ankle injuries involve complete ruptures of one or more of the ankle ligaments. These injuries create significant pain, swelling and bruising.
Mild Ankle Sprain
A mild ankle sprain usually entails stretching, but not tearing, one of the three primary ankle ligaments. This is the largest category of sprain and can vary from the slightest twist that resolves in a couple of days to an injury that takes 2 to 3 weeks to resolve. With a mild sprain, there is a small amount of swelling and little or no bruising. Patients can usually bear weight on the injured ankle without limping and maintain full range of motion of the ankle. These injuries respond well to RIICE (Rest, Ice, Immobilization, Compression and Elevation), and wrapping the ankle with an ACE wrap or soft over-the-counter brace can help to immobilize the injured ligaments while they heal.
Moderate Ankle Sprain
A moderate ankle sprain can involve the stretching of multiple ligaments or the partial tearing of one of the ankle ligaments. This results in an increase in swelling, pain and stiffness compared to mild sprains. A physical examination helps to determine if instability is present in the injured joint, as an unstable ankle joint takes longer to heal and is more prone to reinjury. Patients with a moderate ankle sprain often benefit from one or two weeks of immobilization in a pneumatic walking boot. As swelling and pain decrease, patients are transitioned to an ankle brace and ultimately to an elastic compression sleeve.
Severe Ankle Sprain
A severe sprain involves the complete tearing of one or more of the ankle ligaments. Patients with a severe ankle sprain are often unable to bear weight on the injured ankle. A golf ball sized lump of bruising can be seen over the painful area in severe injuries. In addition to pain and swelling, patients suffering from severe ankle sprains have increased stiffness and instability in the injured joint. Treatment of a severe ankle injury begins with one or two weeks of non-weightbearing with immobilization in either a cast or removable pneumatic boot.
Grades of Ankle Sprains
Grade I
At least severe sprain that can be treated with RIICE: rest, ice, immobilization, compression and elevation or an over-the-counter ACE bandage.
Grade II
A moderate sprain with a longer recovery time depending on the severity of the injury. Treatment can include pneumatic walking boot or soft brace.
Grade III
An injury usually involving complete rupture of an ankle ligament. Treatments can include non-weightbearing cast or pneumatic boot with crutches.
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