For too many people, ankle sprains are thought of as being a minor inconvenience and not much else. Granted, a sprained ankle is clearly not a critical, life-threatening condition, but it is still important that the injury is given the proper care and attention it deserves. Failure to do so can lead to long-lasting issues, including chronic ankle instability.
Diagnosing an Ankle Sprain
Your first step in getting the right treatment for your injured ankle is to come to our Twin Falls podiatrist office and have it diagnosed. It is always important to have an injury evaluated so that an effective treatment plan can be designed. This is especially true for ankle sprains, because they share symptoms with fractures but are often not considered to be a “big deal.” You need to make sure the correct injury is being treated, and we can do that for you.
Diagnosis might be the initial step to avoiding long-term issues, but it’s not the end of the road. Once we have established that it is definitely an ankle sprain you are dealing with, and not a bone fracture, we will design treatment that protects the injured joint and promotes its healing.
Treatment for an Ankle Sprain
Treating an ankle sprain will certainly help you manage painful symptoms, but it is also necessary to reduce the risk of chronic ankle instability. When you develop a chronic condition that affects the stability of your ankle, you have a greater risk for repeated sprains. The best way to avoid this is to follow a treatment regimen that not only helps heal the current injury, but also improves the strength of the affected ankle.
We need to stress that you follow our recommendations and do not attempt to return to activities too quickly. This is the most common reason that people develop long-term damage in their ankle joints.
If you have a foot problem that causes pain and impairs your functionality, seek help at Advanced Foot and Ankle get proper care for your feet.