As one of the most commonly-reported foot injuries, sprained ankles affect more than 25,000 people a day. When ligaments in the ankle are negatively affected by twisting or turning the ankle into unnatural positions, it is referred to as a sprain. The degree or severity of a sprained ankle injury is graded as Grade I, II, or III. Grade I ankle sprains are those where the ligament is stretched but not torn. Grade II denotes those where the ligaments are partially torn. Grade III sprains are those with fully torn ligaments.
Symptoms of an ankle sprain include:
- Sudden popping sound upon injury
- Ankle pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Instability
- Stiffness and rigidity
Sprains are often caused by walking or running on uneven surfaces. Ill-fitting shoes that don’t support the ankle can also create the increased risk of sprains; as do sports that require sudden changes in direction, such as basketball, football or soccer. If you suspect that you may have suffered a sprained ankle, please call our staff for a full exam to determine the severity of the sprain and the best plan for treatment.