Do I Have A Sprained Ankle?

Do you experience pain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot?

Is the ankle bruised?

Is the ankle swollen?

Do you experience tenderness when you touch the ankle?

Does your ankle have a restricted range of motion?

Did you experience a popping sensation or sound at the time of the injury?

Do you experience instability in the ankle?

Based on your answers, you are displaying one or two signs related to a sprained ankle. This type of injury occurs when you roll, turn, or twist your ankle in an awkward way. What happened is that you stretched or torn the ligaments that help hold your ankle bones together. Ligaments prevent excessive movement, but when the ligaments are forced beyond their normal range of motion, a sprained ankle may occur. In most cases, the injury is to the outer side of the ankle. In case you answered ‘no’ to all questions, there seem to be no reasons to be worried.

Based on your answers you are displaying various signs related to a sprained ankle. Your ankle has been forced to move out of its normal range of motion. This caused your ligament(s) to stretch or (partially) tear. Treatment for this type of injury depends on the severity. Sometimes, self-care measures are enough, however in other cases a medical evaluation may be required to understand how badly you have sprained your ankle and to decide about treatment.

Unfortunately, you are displaying the symptoms typically seen among individuals who have a sprained ankle. It’s important to call your doctor if you experience pain and swelling in your ankle and suspect an ankle sprain. Self-care measures may be enough, but make sure to talk to your doctor to understand if treatment is necessary. Because in case your symptoms are severe, ligament(s) may be significantly damaged and/or you may have broken a bone. Treatments for a sprained ankle depend on the severity of the injury.