Approximately 25,000 Americans sprain their ankle every day. The skilled, compassionate team at Pennsylvania Orthopedic Associates treats patients suffering from this common injury in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. If you’re experiencing severe pain, instability, and swelling in your ankle after rolling it, seek expert medical care with Pennsylvania Orthopedic Associates today. Call his office or book your appointment online.
A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments in your ankle, which are the muscles that stabilize it, are stretched or pulled farther than normal.
When you sprain your ankle, your ligaments not only stretch but may tear. This typically occurs in the ligaments on the outside of your ankle, but may occasionally impact the ligaments on the inside.
Sprained ankles are a common injury. You may sprain your ankle by:
Sprained ankles aren’t just an issue athletes face. Men, women, and even children may sprain their ankle while doing everyday activities such as walking around the house.
Some sprained ankles are mild and go away after walking for a few minutes. Other cases require medical attention. Symptoms of a sprained ankle include:
To prevent further injury, don’t try to walk if you’re experiencing instability in the ankle.
A physical examination is the first step in diagnosing a sprained ankle. During this examination, the specialists check the area to look for signs of fractures. They may also check the Achilles tendon to look for tears or ruptures.
If there is a chance there are fractures in your ankle, the team may order an X-ray to look at the bone more closely.
Sprained ankles can be treated using the traditional RICE method.
In addition to the RICE method, the experts at Pennsylvania Orthopedic Associates may also advise the use of pain medications while your ankle heals. When you start walking, you may need to wear a brace to help with stabilizing your ankle and preventing re-injury.
If you’ve injured your ankle and are experiencing pain and swelling, make an appointment with Pennsylvania Orthopedic Associates today. Schedule your appointment online or by calling his office.
