Skip to main content

Ankle Sprains

Castle Rock Foot & Ankle Care -  - Podiatrists

Castle Rock Foot & Ankle Care

Podiatrists located in Castle Rock, CO

Ankle sprains are among the most common types of injuries. They can range from mild sprains that can be treated at home to more serious ones that require surgery for a full recovery. At Castle Rock Foot & Ankle Care, Dr. Jessica Herzog, Dr. Ronnie Pollard, and Dr. Evan Smith evaluate and treat ankle sprains.

Ankle Sprains Q & A

What are the Signs of an Ankle Sprains?

Ankle sprains mainly cause pain and swelling. Pain sometimes becomes worse when patients put pressure on the affected ankle. Sprained ankles can also result in limited flexibility, which makes it hard to walk or move the foot at all. In some cases, ankle sprains make an audible sound when this injury occurs. While minor sprains often do well with treatment at home, severe sprains or sprains with symptoms that don’t go away should be medically treated.

What Causes Ankle Sprains?

Ankle sprains happen when a change in movement or a sudden movement causes the ankle to twist or turn. This can end up causing ligaments in the ankle to tear, resulting in pain and other symptoms. Falling or moving across uneven surfaces can cause these sprains. They can also occur when playing sports that involve jumping, such as basketball.

How are Ankle Sprains Diagnosed?

Diagnosing ankle sprains involves taking an X-ray of the affected ankle to see the bones inside it. Other diagnostic tests include magnetic resonance imaging to see ligaments and other soft tissue and computerized tomography scans to see bones in more detail. These tests allow doctors to rule out fractures and other types of injuries and to see how extensive the sprain is, which helps determine the best course of treatment.

How are Ankle Sprains Treated?

Treatment for ankle sprains depends on how severe they are. Minor sprains can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications that reduce inflammation, rest, ice packs, elevation, and compression with an elastic bandage. Some patients might also need to use crutches or another assistive device to walk around. More serious ankle sprains might require physical therapy to improve range of motion and strength in the affected ankle. Sprains that result in instability in the ankle joint might require surgery to repair torn ligaments.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From an Ankle Sprain?

Mild ankle sprains generally improve with home care after a few days or a week. More serious sprains might not recover for several weeks, especially if they need to be surgically repaired. Some patients continue experiencing ankle sprain symptoms for longer than 6 weeks, which is known as chronic ankle sprains.

Insurance

Major Insurance Providers Accepted. Here is a short list of them. Please contact the office if you do not see your provider listed.

AARP
Aetna
BCBS
Cigna
Medicare
Rocky Mountain Health Plans
United Healthcare