Your ankles are a complex mixture of bones, cartilage, ligaments, muscles and tendons that keep you moving every day. One misstep, though, and you could injure the delicate muscles and tendons in your ankles — and find yourself sidelined for weeks.
Sprains and Strains: What’s the Difference?
“Sprains and strains are both joint injuries, but they affect different parts of the joint,” explains Dr. David Castor, family medicine specialist at Beaufort Memorial Express Care & Occupational Health — Bluffton. “Sprains are caused by stretched or torn ligaments, while strains are caused by stretched or torn muscles or tendons.”
Ankle sprains are relatively common injuries. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society estimates that ankle sprains happen thousands of times every day. A sprain can occur anytime a joint is forced into an unnatural position, such as twisting during a fall, and sprains affect ligaments (tissues that connect bones and joints). A strain, in comparison, can be caused by a sudden twist or pull and affects muscles and tendons. Strains can also develop over time.
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“Physicians measure the severity of a sprain in three grades,” Dr. Castor says. “Grade 1 is the mildest form of injury, where the ligaments are only stretched, and there’s less swelling around the ankle.”
Grade 2 and grade 3 sprains, however, are more severe. In these instances, the ligaments are partially torn (grade 2) or fully torn (grade 3), which also causes damage to the small blood vessels. When these blood vessels are torn, blood leaks into surrounding tissues, which leads to bruising and swelling. Sometimes, these sprains cause severe pain and limit your ability to walk.
“Swelling, bruising, and joint or muscle pain are the most common symptoms of a sprained ankle,” Dr. Castor says. “Strains can also cause swelling, but they don’t usually bruise. They’re also more likely to cause muscle spasms or stiffness.”
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How to Treat Sprained Ankles
The good news: Most ankle sprains can be treated nonsurgically, and at-home care can help alleviate pain and swelling.
“Depending on its severity, an ankle sprain can heal in as little as two weeks, but more serious injuries can take up to three months,” Dr. Castor says. “Treatment for ankle sprains occurs in three stages: reducing pain and swelling, restoring range of motion, and gradually returning to day-to-day activities.”
When you first sprain your ankle, rest it and avoid putting any weight on your foot. Apply ice to reduce swelling for 20 minutes at a time. Wrap the ice in a towel to avoid harming your skin. Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can also help ease pain and reduce swelling.
“After approximately two days, the initial pain and swelling will begin to decrease,” Dr. Castor says. “By then, you can start putting weight on your foot.”
When to Seek Medical Care
If you notice these symptoms after an ankle sprain or strain, seek medical care.
- It’s been one week, and your joint hasn’t improved.
- Pain medicine, ice and rest are not helping.
- When you walk on your ankle, it feels weak or “gives out” easily.
- You can’t walk on your ankle, or it’s very painful when you try.
- Your ankle is discolored, numb, or has a pins-and-needles sensation.
“These symptoms are signs of a more serious injury,” Dr. Castor says. “I recommend visiting a Beaufort Memorial Express Care & Occupational Health clinic. Same-day, walk-in appointments allow you to receive treatment for sprains and strains in a quick, efficient manner, and that can help expedite your recovery.”
Don’t delay care by waiting for an office visit. Call one of Beaufort Memorial’s express care clinics for a same-day urgent care appointment or reserve your spot in line.
