What To Do For Sprained Ankles in Chicago IL
What Is A Sprained Ankle?
It is a sharp, sudden, and intense pain. It is common among athletes but does not occur only among people who exercise. On the street, or in your own home it can also happen to you.
An ankle sprain is an injury that occurs when there is an overstraining situation that leads the joint to go beyond the normal range of motion, causing the ligament to see its anatomical structure surpassed.
The most common is the one that is a consequence of a sprain, but there are other situations that can induce it as trauma or direct impact on the ankle.
Types Of Ankle Sprains
Grade 1: mild. Micro tears of the ligaments occur.
Grade 2: moderate. There is partial tear of the ligament.
Grade 3: serious. There is a total rupture of the ligament.
Being one of the most typical injuries there are some myths or beliefs that are often repeated and are passed from generation to generation. We investigate whether these ideas really have any kind of foundation.
Move Your Foot And Stomp?
One of the first reactions, when we bend the ankle slightly, is to try to check what its condition is and on many occasions, we usually move the foot or firmly place it against the ground. The problem is that performing any of these two actions runs the risk of aggravating the initial injury and increasing pain.
The truth is that if a person suffers a sprain, even if it is grade 1, it is most likely that they cannot continue practicing their sport or have trouble walking.
“The primary objective of the treatment is to avoid the edema that occurs after the injury,” explains kinesiologist Marcelo Vargas on the website of the MEDS sports medicine clinic in Chile. In this sense, the first thing recommended is not to move the ankle and apply ice.
Immerse It In Hot Water?
One of the most recommended natural remedies is to dip the ankle in hot water with salt or vinegar. Although in the long run, this option is not counterproductive, in the short term it is not the most indicated.
Heat increases blood flow, which can cause further inflation, putting more pressure on the nerves and causing more pain. As we explained in the first case, it is important to apply ice for the first two or three days to try to reduce the inflammation that occurs in the area.
Once the ankle stabilizes, this method can be incorporated into the treatment to facilitate the healing of the ligaments.
Immobilize Or Not?
The initial goal is not to force the ankle, but it will depend on the severity to establish the treatment to follow.
In the case of sprains grade 1 or grade 2 “partial immobilization methods are used, with the use of special anklets or boots that allow the person to maintain mobility in extension and flexion, and therefore will walk without the possibility of spraining the ankle,” says Dr. Julio César Botello, from the MEDS clinic.
In the case of a grade 3 sprain, the ankle will most likely be immobilized to prevent further damage and accelerate the healing of the ligament
Is It Conditioned For Life?
One of the myths of people who suffer from an ankle sprain is that they are marked and conditioned for life.
But in reality, it is not so. Not because a sprain has occurred means that the person is more likely to suffer the same injury frequently. The important thing is to follow the treatment prescribed by the doctors step by step until the ankle recovers its full strength.
The return to sports activity must be progressively and even the necessary precautions must be taken during daily work.
Many people think that they are fully recovered when they do not see swelling or feel pain, but that does not mean that all the micro ligament tears have healed. In general, a sprain that has a good prognosis recover within 1 or 2 weeks to 1 or 2 months, depending on the severity and treatment received.
From there should be no limitations for people, although it must be understood that each case is unique and if sprains are recurrent, there may be chronic instability in the ankle.
Are They Avoided With Bandages?
Bandages help prevent, but in no case can you completely prevent a sprain from occurring. The important thing is to strengthen the tendons and muscles of the leg, foot, and ankle to reduce the risk of suffering it.
Functional bandages, which are so named since they allow all movements that do not involve the injured ligament, are recommended during the early stages of rehabilitation, but should be gradually removed as that area becomes stronger and completely removed when it has become 100% recovered.
The important thing is that when suffering a sprain, the PRICE method is applied immediately (protection, rest, ice, understanding, and elevation), which is recommended by health services such as the MEDS clinic or the UK NHS.
Protection to prevent aggravation of the injury in the affected area, rest to relieve the load on the ligaments, ice to reduce inflammation, compression such as elastic bandages to support the ankle and elevation to slow blood flow in that area and thus decrease swelling.
If you are looking to treat your sprained ankle through the different benefits of regular chiropractic care our chiropractors in Chicago can help you. Book your session today by calling us or simply tap on the schedule your appointment button and get it done online.
