Sprained Ankle! ugh

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A Sprained Ankle is one of the absolute most common injuries in almost all sports. A sprained ankle can range from a small strain to a complete rupture but hopefully shouldn't keep you out of action for too long. Here's how to speed up your recovery though :)


Symptoms: The symptoms of a sprained ankle depend on what "degree" of injury you have suffered. There are 3 different degrees... so here they are

1st Degree ~ is a stretching or tearing of the ligament, characterized by little or no instability, little pain, little swelling, and only some joint stiffness

2nd Degree ~ involves some tearing of ligament fibers, characterized by moderate instability, moderate to severe pain, and swelling and stiffness

3rd Degree ~ is a total rupture of the ligament, characterized by gross instability, sever pain followed by no pain, and severe swelling


Anatomy: Your talo-fibula ligament, sometimes the calcanao-fibula ligament too, depending on the degree of your injury


Treatment: Try to reduce the swelling ASAP with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), protect the ankle with tape and support such as a brace (don't rely on support for too long though because that is counter-productive for the rehab of your ankle), extra rest, use crutches if necessary
~ A sports injury specialist can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, use compression devices, use ultrasound/laser therapy, use cross-friction massage techniques, and give you a full rehab program.


Prevention: Wear stable shoes, stretch so that any tight muscles in your calf don't put extra stress on the Achilles, strengthen your ankles, walking on your heals for 3-5 minutes is a good exercise, avoid shoes that throw your foot off balance, make sure you have a healthy diet