Ankle Sprains

An ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries that physiotherapists and chiropractors see. It can often be caused by a sudden twisting motion of the ankle, which results in the ligaments around the ankle becoming overstretched or torn. Symptoms of an ankle sprain can include pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty walking. It is important to understand how treatment for ankle sprains can help you!

An ankle sprain can be caused by a number of activities, including playing sports, dancing, or even if you trip and fall. The predisposition of your ankle means that you can easily twist or put too much force on the area which can lead to damage. It is important to take care of an ankle sprain as soon as possible, as this will help to decrease the amount of time it takes for you to recover.

How to Deal with Ankle Sprains

Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain

A sprained ankle is a common injury that can occur from twisting or turning your ankle awkwardly. The immediate pain and swelling can be worrying, but it’s important to remember that the majority of sprained ankles will heal and recover well with the correct treatment. Swelling is a natural reaction as the body inflames the area around the injury in order to protect that part of the body. Because your ankle is at the bottom of your body, swelling seem more severe and last for longer as fluid begins to collect.

How Long Will it Take for an Ankle to Heal?

Depending on the severity of the injury, your recovery can vary in length.

If you experience a mild ankle sprain, your ankle will swell and be tender. However, with rest, it should heal within 2-3 weeks.

If your injury is more extensive and involves strain or tearing to soft tissue, your ankle can take between 4-8 weeks to recover. At this point, we would recommend chiropractic or physiotherapy treatment to help heal the injury as well as support recovery.

If you have experienced a serious tear or rupture of the muscles or ligaments, and potentially a bone break, we recommend seeking urgent medical attention by calling 111 or going to A&E. Your recovery time will depend on the severity of the injury, and whether doctors believe that surgery is required. Your recovery should be accompanied by chiropractic or physiotherapy care to help recovery, but also strengthen the ligaments and muscles around the ankle to prevent future injury.

How to Deal with an Ankle Sprain in the First 3 Days

If you have sprained your ankle, there are a few things you can do to help speed up the healing process. We recommend following the RICE protocol:

Rest: Take time off from any activities that aggravate your ankle and allow it to heal. This may mean taking a break from work or your usual routine.
Ice: Apply ice to your ankle regularly for 15-20 minutes at a time, 3-4 times per day. This will help reduce swelling and pain.
Compression: Keeping your ankle wrapped in a bandage or support helps to reduce swelling and supports your muscles and bones in the area.
Elevation: keeping your ankle elevated or above the level of your heart will help reduce pain and swelling. A great way to do this is by sleeping with an extra pillow under the foot of your bed.

These 4 steps work together to speed up healing, decrease pain, and help you return to normal life quickly. If your ankle does not feel somewhat better after a couple of days, we recommend seeking chiropractic or physiotherapy treatment to help with recovery.

What Should I Avoid?

When recovering from an ankle sprain it is important to avoid the following:

Heat
Alcohol
Running/Exercise
Massage

All of these could aggravate the injury and cause muscles and joints to be injured further. Additionally, they will increase blood pressure and flow to the area, which increases the degree of swelling. This will delay the healing process and could cause longer-term damage.

Treatment for Ankle Sprain

If you are still struggling to recover from your injury 3 weeks after, we recommend seeking chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment. Whatever you do, do not return to playing sport or intense exercise until the ankle has fully healed.

Physiotherapy Treatment for Ankle Sprain

If you have sprained your ankle, there is a good chance that it will heal on its own with the right care. However, physiotherapy can help to identify any causes for a delayed recovery, such as stability issues. A physiotherapist can provide you with exercises and treatments that will help you to recover more quickly and reduce your risk of re-injuring your ankle.

Physiotherapy works on healing the injured area and strengthening the muscles around your joints to prevent future injury.

Chiropractic Treatment for Ankle Sprain

A chiropractor can help speed up the recovery process and reduce pain. This therapy focuses on enhancing the mobility around the ankle, which is useful for getting you back to full strength. By increasing the movement of the ankle joint, it is less likely to tear when you next twist it or fall.

Chiropractors take a holistic approach when dealing with patients, ankle injuries are no different. A chiropractor may look to undertake adjustments on your body to realign your ankle muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. This will help improve the stability of your ankle and strengthen the various components surrounding it.

As with physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment will include strengthening exercises to speed up recovery and prevent future injury to your ankle.

Why Falcon Health?

At Falcon, our experts in chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment for ankle sprains can get you back to full speed as soon as possible. Our healthcare professionals will work with you to diagnose your ankle injury and develop a bespoke treatment for an ankle sprain, consisting of physical therapy and exercises. We are very experienced in dealing with all forms of ankle injuries, so we are certain that we can help you.

If you would like to learn more about our team and the services we provide, including treatment for an ankle sprain, explore our website. To book a consultation with our experts, click here. If you have any alternative enquiries, call us today on 01444 257555 or email info@falcon-health.com.