Did you step off a curb weird or maybe step into a hole? Ouch! Most ankle sprains are an inversion sprain, which overstretches the outside of the ankle joint. The most commonly affected ligaments in the lateral complex are: Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and/or the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). The Posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) is also part of the lateral complex but not as frequently injured.
Recovery Timeline for a Sprain Ankle
There are different types of ankle sprains. Grades one and two are a micro-tearing of the above ligaments where as grade three is a complete disruption to the ligament and affect the syndesmotic juncture (a fancy way of saying the joint). All of these can greatly affect the recovery/healing time. Grade 1 tears can heal within 4-6 weeks, while grade 2 tears can extend from 4 weeks to as long as 3 months. Grade 3 tears may require healing for several months and may require an orthopedic consult to rule out other injuries.
What Does an Ankle Sprain Look Like?
Depending on the grade, you might have some bruising, swelling, pain at rest and/or with walking. Your foot and ankle can feel stiff and have less range of motion.
Is a swollen ankle a Bad Thing?
Swelling is not bad! It's part of our body's natural healing response. The swelling occurs because of a cascade of the inflammatory response. All these healing cells rush to the area to help repair the damage.
With that said, the body can overreact and produce excessive swelling. When swelling last longer those initial 72 hours for lighter injuries and longer than a week for more severe injuries, it's important to manage it to prevent excessive connective tissue problems, joint restriction or muscle weakness.
Ice or Heat?
The first 48-72 hours after your injury, ice! After that, heat! Ice will deoxygenate your tissues which we don't want to do.
Sports physical therapy for a sprained ankle
Seek out a sports physical therapist for orthopedic rehabilitation, even if you aren't an athlete! A physical therapist will perform an evaluation to assess the foot and ankle. It's pretty clear that you injured your ankle, but they will want to determine the severity of the injury. In the case of a more significant injury, they likely will refer you back to your doctor for imaging if that hasn't been performed yet.
After a thorough assessment, they will gently work on decreasing inflammation and promote early range of motion of the joint. As you progress through therapy this can also look like fascial release to other surrounding tissues, such as the gastrocneumius and soleus muscles if they have tightened up.
What Next? Your therapist will take you through exercises to challenge your balance and stability of the ankle joint. They may also work on strengthening other muscles up the kinetic chain like your hips! Finally, they will focus recovery on return to sport when appropriate.
Physical therapy for a sprained ankle in Brookhaven and Atlanta, GA
If you have a sprained ankle and are in need of a physical therapist, a sports physical therapist, or orthopedic rehabilitation, reach out to our office today!
