What is a sprain?
When you sprain a joint, you injure the ligament, a band of connective tissue that connects bones to other bones. In your joints, ligaments stabilize the joint and add support. When they’re sprained, the ligament stretches or even tears in severe cases.
Sprains happen when you fall or twist your joint and commonly occur during physical activity. Your most vulnerable joints include your ankles, knees, and wrists.
How do you know if you have a sprain?
Orthopedic surgeons classify sprain severity into three different grades.
Grade 1 sprains
Grade 1 sprains include those with mild stretching and damage to your ligament fibers. You may experience slight swelling and bruising, but the joint still feels stable.
Grade 2 sprains
Grade 2 sprains partially tear your ligament. Swelling and bruising are severe, and you may experience more discomfort. The joint often feels abnormally loose when moved in specific directions. It may hurt to bear weight on your ankle or foot.
Grade 3 sprains
Grade 3 sprains are the most severe and involve a complete tear of your ligament. These sprains often swell and bruise immediately after injury and are accompanied by severe pain. The joint has insufficient stability and can’t bear weight.
How are sprains treated?
If you have a minor sprain, Dr. Sibel recommends following a RICE protocol:
- Rest: Stay off the injured area to allow it time to heal
- Ice: Use cold packs on your injury for 20 minutes multiple times a day
- Compression: Wear an elastic bandage or wrap your sprain to reduce swelling, blood loss, and pain
- Elevation: Prop your injury so it’s higher than your heart, especially when resting
In many cases, your sprain feels better after a few days of RICE. When you don’t notice improvement within a week, contact Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Institute. Dr. Sibel may recommend coming to the office for an evaluation to ensure you didn’t fracture a bone.
When you have a grade 2 sprain, Dr. Sibel may suggest bracing the joint to stabilize it. He may also recommend physical therapy or give you exercises to practice at home to rebuild the strength in the joint.
When your ligament completely tears, Dr. Sibel may opt for surgery.
If you think you’ve sprained an ankle, call Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Institute today or go online to schedule your appointment.
