Important Things To Know About Sprained Ankles
Posted on: 10 April 2017
Being physically active can be an excellent way to improve both your health and mood. However, there are a number of physical injuries that can occur to those that routinely engage in sports. In particular, sprained ankles can be a common problem in almost any sport, and you may want to ensure that you understand this potential injury so that you will know how to react to it in the future.
What Causes A Sprained Ankle?
Your ankles are highly complicated joints that can allow you to quickly change direction. To hold this joint together, a number of connective tissues will surround the socket. These tissues are essential for keeping the ankle joint properly aligned as well as allowing the full range of movement.
When a person suffers a sprained ankle, these tissues will become damaged. Whether this damage is in the form of strained or torn tissue, it will likely be extremely painful, and intense swelling will soon follow. Often, this can be due to a sharp twisting motion of the ankle. In some instances, this may even cause a temporary dislocation of the ankle joint.
What Is The Treatment Process For Sprained Ankles?
While sprained ankles are a fairly common sports injury, there are people that will greatly underestimate the severity of this injury. As a result, they may forgo seeking treatment. However, if you do not have a sprained ankle properly treated, it could be possible for you to suffer permanent ankle problems as the tissue may not fully heal. You can talk with a specialist at http://www.elmhurstpodiatry.com for more information if your ankle is severely sprained.
The treatment for a sprained ankle will usually involve resting it until the tissue damage has recovered and been rehabilitated. Some individuals may assume that they can simply return to their normal schedule when the pain has subsided, but the tissue that supports the ankle will still be weakened. By doing light ankle exercises, you can strengthen these tissues so that you reduce the risk of injuring the ankle again. Severe sprains may require surgery to repair the damage to the tissue in the joint, but only an experienced foot and ankle doctor will be able to determine whether this step is necessary.
If you are active in sports, you will likely encounter a sprained ankle at some point or another. When this type of injury is suffered, understanding its severity as well as the steps for recovering can be essential for limiting the damage and ensuring that you heal as quickly as possible.
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