Dangers of Ankle Sprain
Dr. Ayan Goswami is a foot & ankle surgeon practicing in Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Davenport, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Goswami is a podiatric medical doctor specializing in the surgical and medical management of the foot, ankle, and related parts of the leg. As a podiatrist, Dr. Goswami diagnoses and treats lower... more
You’re in the zone! You see your opponent swing side to side. The ball dribbles from the three-point line. Four seconds on the clock as you leap, swing, and turn your body from left to right as you pass the guards.
Two seconds on the clock.
No time to lose, all eyes on you. You’re so close, you can feel the moment. Behind you, the loud cheer from the crowd pushes you like a wave as you turn, jump, and shoot…..2…..1….SCORE!
Ouch! Your balance goes and your left ankle twists inward. Your full body weight comes down on the ankle and suddenly all you feel is pain.
An ankle sprain occurs when the joint moves beyond its normal range of motion when the ligaments stretch too far. The ankle ligaments are at times torn or stretched beyond their limits, whether by twisting, rolling, or landing onto the ankle joint. Depending on the severity of the sprain, symptoms are a burning sensation, limited mobility, stiffness, swelling, and discoloration of the skin.
So, how do you prevent these painful ankle sprains? If you’re someone who has a history of always tripping or spraining your ankle, try improving your muscle strength involved around the ankle joint. Stronger muscles reduce the amount of stress being placed on the ligaments that get injured during a sprain.
Another great way to prevent an ankle sprain is to improve your balance. Exercises that help improve balance can also help fight against sprains. In terms of deviation, the faster the body can move toward a neutral positioning, the better it can prevent a ligament from stretching beyond its limits.
Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. Oftentimes, wearing an ankle brace or ankle support during physical activities may help prevent further damage. Ankle sprains that have turned chronic will often lead to ligament damage, ankle instability, chronic swelling, and pain. Immediate attention is the key to preventing long-term physical therapy sessions and surgical interventions.
