What is a sprained ankle?
Ankle sprains, which are painful traumatic injuries to the soft tissues of the ankle, are extremely common injuries that typically occur during athletic activity. When one or more of the ligaments or structures that support the ankle strain or tear, it results in a sprained ankle. Inappropriate treatment may lead to long-term issues. Inversion or eversion sprains, which occur when the ankle is twisted outward or inward beyond its range of motion, are typically caused by rolling the ankle. The most prevalent kind of ankle sprain is called an inversion sprain, which is brought on by “rolling over” the foot and causes discomfort around the outside of the ankle.

Ankle sprains: what causes them?
Ankle sprains typically happen when the foot abruptly rolls or twists outside of its natural range of motion, causing the ankle joint to move from its typical position. Playing sports, jogging or walking on uneven terrain, or wearing improper footwear can all contribute to this.

Although anyone can sustain an ankle sprain, some people are more vulnerable than others, such as those who:

• Engage in certain sports, like hockey or football.
• Run or walk on uneven terrain
• Put on inappropriate or unsupportive shoes.
• Have instability in your ankles
• Have loose ligaments
• Have a history of ankle trauma

What symptoms and indicators are present?
After an injury, some bruising or swelling may be apparent around the ankle. When you put weight on the injured foot, you may experience pain or discomfort, and it could be challenging to move your ankle normally. The sprain may also cause injury to soft structures like blood vessels, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

Among the symptoms and indicators could be:

• Ankle pain that is characterised as throbbing
• Swelling
• Redness
• Getting bruised
• When touched, the ankle may feel heated.
• Having trouble holding weight
• Limp
• Ankle immobility

What would podiatry treatment include for a sprained ankle?
When you first visit a podiatrist, they will ask you about your medical history, the nature of the problem, and whether you have ever had any ankle sprains or injuries. After taking the history, the ankle would be examined, and then the biomechanical evaluation would take place. If your foot and lower limbs aren’t working properly, you may be more prone to an ankle sprain. This is why the biomechanical evaluation is done. An X-ray may be recommended if an ankle fracture is suspected.

Since inflammation is the cause of the discomfort associated with an ankle sprain, the goal of treatment is to lessen any inflammation and enhance foot function to help avoid sprains in the future. Ankle sprains can be treated with the following:

• R.I.C.E. stands for elevation, compression, ice, and rest.
• Advice on anti-inflammatory
• Orthoses
• Ankle brace
• Strength training
• Training with range of motion
• Advice on footwear
• Modification of activity
• Training in proprioception
• When appropriate, a referral
• Prescription exercise