It’s really pretty easy to sprain an ankle. You take a wrong step, your ankle twists, and you feel immediate pain as your tendons and ligaments stretch or even tear. But, how do you know if your sprained ankle needs to be seen by a doctor? Without the right care, this type of injury can lead to chronic ankle instability and an increased risk of falls.
Dr. Michael Blackwell and the foot and ankle orthopaedics experts at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, located in Tomball, Kingwood, and Conroe, Texas, provide evaluation and care for sprained ankles, from the mild to the severe.
If you’re concerned about an injury, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Blackwell. Here are five signs you should watch out for when deciding to seek out medical care after an ankle sprain.
The first symptom of a sprain is usually pain. You may not be sure how severe the sprain is, but it’s a good idea to get checked out anyway.
If you are suffering from a more severe degree of sprain, immediate medical attention makes a difference in your treatment outcomes. Without the right care, sprains can become a recurring problem, leaving you more prone to rolling an ankle or taking a fall again in the future.
All sprains benefit from prompt medical evaluation, but you should seek care right away if you notice severe swelling around your ankle, especially if the swelling worsens in the hours after the initial injury.
Severe swelling may indicate a higher degree of severity to your sprain. Use an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time to temporarily reduce swelling, but don’t skip out on a medical checkup as soon as possible
If you notice symptoms in the affected ankle, like numbness, tinging, or a sense of coldness, your nerves may be involved in your injury. That means you need a medical evaluation to prevent potential future nerve damage.
You know a sprained ankle is a problem that needs a doctor’s attention when it prevents you from walking or bearing weight on the affected limb. Your ankle may feel loose, wobbly, or unstable when you try to walk. You should also watch out for any loss of range of motion. If you can’t move your ankle normally, a medical evaluation is warranted.
A bad sprain may produce a “popping” feeling, or even an audible popping sound, at the moment when the injury occurs. If you feel or hear a pop from your injured ankle, reach out to Dr. Blackwell and the team at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine for evaluation and treatment.
Dr. Blackwell uses a thorough physical exam, a review of your symptoms, and imaging exams like X-rays to determine if your sprain is mild or severe. That diagnosis guides him in determining the best treatment for you.
Sprains often respond well to conservative treatments like rest or light physical therapy. More rarely, you may need surgery to fully restabilize your ankle after a severe sprain.
For help with a sprained ankle, contact Dr. Blackwell at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine today. Call now, or book an appointment online.
