3 Signs Of A Sprained Ankle...And What To Do About It
Posted on: 10 November 2016
All sorts of things can cause a sprained ankle, such as straining yourself while you are exercising or playing sports. If you have recently injured your ankle but are unsure of whether or not it might be strained, there are a few symptoms that you can watch out for. These are a few signs that you might have a sprained ankle.
1. Swelling
One common sign of a sprained ankle is swelling. It may be minor at first and may get worse over the next few days after the sprain. Luckily, it is possible to make the swelling go down. One good option is to use ice treatment. Avoid putting the ice directly on your swollen ankle; instead, put the ice in a zip-top plastic bag, or use a bag of frozen vegetables. Hold the ice on the affected area to help the swelling go down.
2. Discoloration
Another sign of a sprained ankle is discoloration or bruising. If your ankle appears black, blue, purple, or green, there is a good sign that you are dealing with a sprain. The coloration of your ankle might change as the days go on and as your sprained ankle begins to heal.
3. Difficulty Walking or Standing
If you are suffering from a sprained ankle, you might find that it is difficult to stand up and put pressure on your affected ankle, and you might find it even more difficult to walk or jog. Now is the time to get plenty of rest, so stay off of your ankle as much as possible until it has healed. When you walk, avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your sprained ankle, and consider using a set of crutches or a walker to aid you in walking safely without putting too much pressure on the affected area. Walking on your sprained ankle not only can be very uncomfortable or even painful, but it can cause additional damage to your ankle, which will make your injury take longer to fully heal.
A sprained ankle can be a highly uncomfortable injury to deal with, but it does not have to cause long-term effects. Looking out for these symptoms can help you identify the problem, and following these steps can help you ease some of your symptoms. However, even if you do choose to use some at-home treatments, it's not a bad idea to see a doctor or other healthcare professional to get professional treatment at a clinic like Elmhurst Podiatry Center Ltd.
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