Dr Bryan Betty: How to treat a sprained ankle

A sprained ankle, one of the most common injuries seen at practice.

What is a sprained ankle?

• Injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way.
• Commonest injury when the sole of foot turned inwards – called an inversion injury – damages outside of ankle.
• The injury strains or tears the ligaments that help hold and stabilise the joint.

What are the risks of a sprained ankle and main symptoms?

• Obvious risk is playing sport – rugby soccer where the ankle ‘rolls’
• Uneven surfaces, being unfit, improper shoes causing you to fall, landing awkwardly after jump, higher risk if previous sprained ankle. .
• Main symptom one:  immediate pain after roll the ankle,  difficulty walking swelling and painful to touch.
• Bruising  and restricted movement of the ankle, popping sound, sensation  when the injury occurs.  

How do we teat them?

Immediate treatment:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
• Pain relief with things such as paracetamol.

If not settled in 48 hours see your doctor to:

• Examine the ankle, may order x-ray to make sure not broken.
• Get physio involved to start exercise program to get the ankle back to normal.
• May take up to 6 weeks to heal.
• In severe cases : may use a ‘moon boot’ or walking boot to immobilise the ankle till swelling goes down.

How do we prevent them?

• Warm up before sports ankle support if previously injured.
• Good fitting shoes important ( high heels a risk!)
• Stay fit, practice balance exercises.

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