Can i walk on a badly sprained ankle

The results are remarkable. Skip to content. Stepping across the road in heels. There are a few important activities that help people work through a sprained ankle: RICE rest, ice, compression, elevation Re-strengthening exercises Rebuilding stability, balance, and flexibility Gradually introducing weight-bearing activities How to Gradually Introduce Weight Bearing on a Sprained Ankle Traditionally, crutches, boots, and braces are used to eliminate or significantly reduce the body-weight impact on a sprained ankle.

AlterG for your clinic. Sprained ankles are often due to accidents like missing a step and rolling on your ankle while running, but there can also be postural and mechanical factors that play a role. A treatment program for a sprained ankle will typically consist of the following:. Trying to rush back into action before the injury has properly healed puts you at a much higher risk of prolonging the injury. The physical therapist will use this information to create a customized exercise plan that promotes healing and eases pain.

According to a popular myth, a doctor can do nothing to treat a sprain. It is true that sprains do not usually require casts and often heal on their own. However, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons recommend that anyone who suspects that they have a sprain see a doctor.

They may be mistaken and have a different injury that requires treatment, or they may have additional injuries, such as broken bones, which is common. Also, a doctor can assess the severity of the sprain. Particularly serious sprains can require surgery, physical therapy , and other long-term treatments.

Delaying medical attention can delay rehabilitation. If the pain is mild and a person prefers home treatment, they can wait a day or two. If the swelling does not go down or the pain gets worse, they should see a doctor. Sprains are common and usually heal on their own. However, severe sprains that completely sever the ligament may require months of healing and possibly surgery.

Do not ignore the pain of an ankle sprain or assume that there is nothing a doctor can do. Prompt treatment can speed recovery and reduce the risk of a chronic or secondary injury. A sprained toe is a common injury that is often tender and painful. Broken toes and sprained toes share many causes and symptoms. Learn more about a…. Swollen ankles, or edema, are a common symptom of a variety of conditions.

Learn more about the causes of swollen ankles, including lymphedema…. Signs of a sprained ankle include pain and swelling. Doctors grade sprains depending on severity. Causes include falling and overuse. Learn more about…. Learn about sprained fingers, an injury that causes pain in one or more of the fingers. Included are details on how to recognize a sprain from a break. Some people complain of persistent pain and swelling. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you are not getting better after 1 week.

If your pain is mild and you are able to put some weight on your foot, you may follow the recommendations in the Treatment Overview and Home Treatment sections of this topic. Early treatment followed by rehabilitation exercises help your ankle heal properly. If treatment recommendations are not followed, your ankle may stay weak and unstable. Your doctor will ask you when and how the ankle sprain occurred and ask about any prior injuries.

Next, your doctor will examine your foot, ankle, and lower leg and even your knee to see if any other injury occurred. He or she may ask you to move your foot up and down and to take a few steps if possible. Your doctor will then carefully try moving your foot and ankle to see if the ligaments are intact and what movements cause pain.

If your sprain is mild, an X-ray may not be taken. If your sprain is more severe, you may need X-rays to evaluate the ankle. X-rays can help your doctor find out whether you have any ligament tears, broken bones, or bones that have moved out of their normal positions. X-rays are often taken for children because of potential injury to the bone's growth plate and possible disruption of normal growth. Doctors may take X-rays of both ankles so they can compare the injured ankle with the one that is healthy.

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. It may help to wear hiking boots or other high-top, lace-up shoes for support. Your doctor may suggest that you keep some or all of your weight off your ankle as it heals.

If this happens, learn to use your crutches or walker properly and safely. Almost all ankle sprains heal on their own with proper home treatment and rehabilitation rehab exercises. Surgery to repair torn ligaments is usually only considered when there is a severe ligament tear or tears or if the ankle remains unstable after rehab. Surgery is also a consideration if you have broken a bone. Ankle sprains take an average of 6 weeks to heal but can take can up to 4 months, depending on the severity.

An ankle brace, air stirrup, hiking boots, or other form of ankle support should be worn during this time to protect the ligaments. After the ankle is healed, wearing an ankle brace or taping the ankle may help prevent reinjury. For more painful and severe sprains, you may not be able to walk, although you might be able to bear some weight while using crutches and a protective brace, such as a brace with a built-in air cushion or other form of ankle support.

If pain is severe, use crutches until your doctor tells you that you can begin to bear weight. In general, if your pain is bearable, you should try to walk or bear some weight while using crutches and a protective brace, because these activities promote healing.

Some people who have repeated or severe sprains can develop long-term joint pain and weakness. Rehabilitation rehab exercises for an ankle sprain can be done at home to promote proper healing and prevent chronic pain and instability. When rehab exercises are not followed after a sprain, the ankle can become weak and unstable. In the case of a minor sprain, rehab exercises begin soon after the injury with walking.

You can try wearing hiking boots or other high-top, lace-up shoes for support. Stretching exercises should be continued daily and especially before and after physical activities to prevent reinjury.

Even after your ankle feels better, continue with muscle-strengthening exercises and balance and control exercises several times a week to keep your ankles strong. The timing and type of rehab exercises may vary according to your doctor's or physical therapist's preferences. You will probably do the following types of exercise. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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