What are the symptoms of a lateral ankle sprain?
They may include:
- Pain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot.
- Tenderness when you touch the ankle.
- Swelling.
- Bruising.
- Restricted range of motion.
- Instability in the ankle.
- Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury.
How long does a lateral ankle sprain take to heal?
Most ankle sprains will heal with standard RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression and elevation) within two to 12 weeks. But for the patients with sprains that do not heal over time with standard therapy, both the cause and next steps for treatment can be unclear.
What is the treatment for a lateral ankle sprain?
Rest: Rest for first 24 hours after injury. Weight bearing as tolerated (WBAT) with assistive device, such as crutches, may help with pain management. Ice/ Cold packs: 10-15 minutes- 3 times per day, or more frequently for pain and swelling management. Compression: Use an elastic bandage to limit swelling.
What ligaments are damaged during a lateral ankle sprain?
The three ligaments that compose the lateral complex are the anterior talofibular (ATFL), the calcaneofibular (CFL), and posterior talofibular (PTFL) and they tend to be injured in this order with the anterior talofibular ligament being injured most commonly.
How do I know what grade my ankle sprain is?
3 Grades of Ankle Sprains
- Grade 1: Your ankle will probably feel sore and may be slightly swollen. In this case, the ligament has been overstretched but not torn.
- Grade 2: You have a partial tear in the ligament. This causes prolonged pain and swelling.
- Grade 3: This is a full tear of the ankle ligament.
What does a peroneal tendon tear feel like?
Peroneal tendon injuries can be acute, meaning the injury occurred suddenly, or chronic, meaning that damage occurred over time. Symptoms of peroneal tendon injuries can include pain and swelling, weakness in the foot or ankle, warmth to the touch, and a popping sound at the time of injury.
Can a torn ATFL heal itself?
Nearly all isolated low ankle sprains can be treated without surgery. Even a complete ligament tear (Grade 3) will heal without surgical repair if it is immobilized and rehabilitated appropriately.
How do you tell if its a grade 2 or 3 ankle sprain?
Grade 2: A more severe sprain, but incomplete tear with moderate pain, swelling and bruising. Although it feels somewhat stable, the damaged areas are tender to the touch and walking is painful. Grade 3: This is a complete tear of the affected ligament(s) with severe swelling and bruising.