Sprained Ankle in Austin, TX

Have you experienced an ankle injury or a sprained ankle in Austin, TX? A sprained ankle is very painful and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Contact Dr. LaMour in Texas right away if you or your loved one has a sprained ankle. In the meantime, read on to learn more about ankle injuries.

What is an Ankle Sprain?

An ankle sprain is when an outside force causes the ligaments in the foot and ankle to stretch beyond what they would do naturally. Ligaments are located throughout your body and it helps to think of them as elastic bands with a series of fibers running through them. When those elastic bands, or ligaments, are stretched too much, they can tear partially or all the way through.

Varying Grades of Ankle Sprains

Did you know that not all ankle sprains are alike? They may feel similar because all ankle sprains usually cause a great deal of discomfort and pain. But your podiatrist will be able to diagnose your injury and tell exactly what grade of ankle sprain you’ve experienced. Here are the various grades of ankle sprains:

Grade 1

This is considered the least severe of the ankle sprain grades, although as mentioned, it can still be very uncomfortable. Grade one ankle sprains involve stretching of the ligament beyond its normal range. It may even involve slight tearing in that ligament. Outward symptoms of a grade one ankle sprain include stiffness in the ankle joint and swelling. You will generally feel able to walk and the ankle will feel fairly stable.

Grade 2

Grade two ankle sprains come with more severe outward symptoms, such as moderate pain, bruising, and swelling. The ankle will feel tender to the touch and there will be a pain when you try to put weight on it, although the ankle will feel fairly stable. Inside, there will be a greater tear in the ligament than in grade one ankle sprains; although the tear will not have gone all the way through the ligament.

Grade 3

This is the most severe level of an ankle sprain. You won’t be able to walk on the ankle at all and it will feel weak and unstable. There will be intense pain, deep bruising, and excessive swelling involved at this grade. Inside, the affected ligament has been torn all the way through.

How Do Ankle Sprains Occur?

Ankle sprains are very common. They can occur for a variety of reasons that may include playing sports, running, accidents, or even simple motions that take place in the home. Any time you articulate the ankle joint in an unnatural manner, an ankle sprain can happen. Some surprising ways an ankle sprain can occur are:

• Standing on tippy toes to reach something up high
• Misstepping onto or off of a street curb
• Accidentally landing on the side of the foot
• Landing on an object while walking or running

Ankle sprains are never expected. But when or if you do sprain your ankle, be sure to contact your podiatrist in Texas immediately. If you don’t, you could suffer irreversible damage or damage that is more complicated to fix than it needed to be.

Podiatrist Services for a Sprained Ankle in Austin, TX

The first thing your podiatrist will do when you come in for a sprained ankle in Austin, TX is to talk with you about how the injury occurred. Often, this helps to diagnose the possible damage. An X-ray will also probably be necessary to determine the extent of the internal injuries. This will help the podiatrist see if any fractures or breaks are present, as well as to determine the extent of any tear in the ligament. Depending upon the diagnosis, your Austin podiatrist will decide upon the best course of treatment. This may involve temporary immobilization of the foot and ankle, ice, compression, and rest. It may also involve surgery to repair the torn ligament depending upon the grade of the injury as noted previously.

Getting to your podiatrist as soon as possible for an ankle sprain in Austin, TX is crucial to the successful outcome of your treatment. For more information about ankle injuries and ankle sprains, please contact Dr. LaMour’s office.