Treatment of ankle sprains: at home, quickly

General information

With modern lifestyles, ankle sprains are a common injury that occurs both during sports and under normal circumstances.
According to statistics, ankle injuries account for about 15-20% of injuries in sports. In this context, the greatest danger is represented by those sports in which there are rapid and frequent changes of direction, contact with other players, and jumping. Due to characteristic injuries, partial rupture of the ligaments or hyperextension of the ligaments of the ankle joint occurs. ICD-10 diseases - S93. Regarding how to get such an injury, doctors note that most often this happens when the leg is turned inward. As a rule, after such an injury a person feels pain and swelling appears. X-rays and other studies can confirm the diagnosis.

This article will discuss how to help a person who has received such an injury, as well as the most effective methods of treating ankle sprains.

What to do if you have an ankle injury

First aid after an ankle injury does not differ in any way depending on the injuries that were identified during self-diagnosis of the victim.

If this injury occurs, the patient must be taken to the nearest emergency room. The main thing in this case is that the victim himself does not move the affected limb or step on it.

Important! If the injury happened at home, the best solution is to call a doctor.

It is best to go to the emergency room immediately

First of all, after receiving an injury, the injured leg must be immediately fixed in a stationary position so that the patient cannot worsen the condition of the joint as a result of movement. It should also be noted that when fixed, the pain becomes less severe, since the leg does not need additional support from nearby muscles.

In order to fix the affected joint, you will need an elastic bandage. If you don’t have one, a regular gauze bandage, a scarf, or even a high boot, which can be tightened with laces, may be suitable, fixing the affected area until an elastic bandage is obtained.

The affected joint should be secured with an elastic bandage.

It is necessary to bandage the affected joint correctly, using the “figure eight” method. The first round must be applied from the ankle, the second round – around the foot itself. Then bandaging continues according to the same principle.

The bandage itself, after bandaging is completed, should tightly compress the affected area and prevent the ability to turn the foot. A tight bandage can also prevent the formation of severe swelling after an injury.

Important! The main thing when bandaging is not to squeeze the leg too tightly, as blood circulation in the limb may be impaired.

It is important not to squeeze your leg with an elastic bandage, so as not to interfere with blood circulation.

The next thing that also needs to be done as quickly as possible after a joint injury is to apply something cold. Ideally, it would be an ice compress, but any other hand-held means may also be suitable, for example, some product from the freezer or, if the injury was sustained outdoors in winter, snow.

The compress itself must be applied to the affected joint. It is best to go to the place where the swelling is most pronounced.

Important! The compress must be kept on the affected area for no more than thirty minutes, and after that, ice can be reapplied only after twenty minutes have passed after removing the previous compress.

At first, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the affected area.

The affected limb should be above head level. This position will help the outflow of venous blood from the affected area, and will also promote the flow of arterial blood, which is very useful in this situation. Thanks to this position of the affected limb, you can notice how the swelling will gradually subside, and the aching pain will noticeably decrease. After all, it is the occurrence of edema that causes greater pain, as the growing tissue begins to put pressure on the affected area. In turn, ensuring constant pressure also prevents the outflow of venous blood.

It is desirable that the limb is above the level of the head

Important! After receiving an injury to the ankle joint, it is necessary not to delay going to a specialist for too long. Indeed, if you have such a problem, it is very important to undergo certain examinations in order to identify the type and degree of damage to the joint, as well as prescribe the correct therapy for a speedy recovery and the prevention of various complications.

One of the main studies that will help a specialist determine the extent and nature of tendon or ligament damage is radiography. Such a study will first of all help check and exclude possible bone damage from such an injury. After all, if a fracture occurs, the treatment must be different, otherwise the therapy will not give any results.

X-ray of the ankle joint

Having examined the injury, the specialist must prescribe treatment, which can be of two types. In the first case, the patient is given certain instructions that he must follow in order to quickly restore the damaged joint. But there is another version of events - the patient is sent to a hospital, where he is being treated. Inpatient treatment of ankle injuries is carried out only for serious and extensive lesions that cannot be cured at home. The main thing you should not do in this situation is refuse hospitalization.

Important! Untreated or improperly treated injuries that are accompanied by bone fractures can lead to improper healing. In this case, the curvature of the bones during fusion can create many problems for the patient in the future. These include pain when walking, chronic lameness, constant pain, and much more.

Sometimes ankle sprains are accompanied by fractures

Pathogenesis

The ankle ligaments may become overstrained or ruptured when the foot is rotated or exposed to an external force. The ankle joint is a mobile joint with great freedom of movement. However, there is a constant load on it created by the weight of the whole body. And if a person performs physical exercise, the load increases significantly. If the exercise technique is not followed, ankle sprains may occur.

It is important to understand the difference between ligaments and tendons. Ligaments provide mutual attachment of bones, and tendons connect muscles and bones. In this case, injuries to ligaments and tendons manifest themselves with different symptoms.

The most common injury occurs to the Achilles tendon, which connects the foot to the triceps surae muscle. However, injuries to other tendons also occur.

The ligamentous apparatus of the foot can withstand very serious loads. Injury occurs with very significant force. If the load is redistributed onto one ligament from several, an injury to the overloaded ligament occurs.

Too much stress on the ankle ligaments is observed in the following situations:

• If the outer edge of the foot is tucked in, and the load from the entire weight is distributed to this place. As a consequence, injury occurs to the lateral group of ligaments that prevent excessive supination of the tibia.
• When the foot is fixed, and the body weight is completely transferred to the forefoot and the lower leg is bent. In such a situation, the Achilles tendon is injured.
• When the foot is fixed, the lower leg extends as much as possible - injury to the anterior talofibular and interfibular ligaments occurs.
• When the foot is fixed, internal or external rotation occurs in the joint, the external or internal ligaments, tendons of the short and long peroneus muscles, and the Achilles tendon may be damaged.

Symptoms

The intensity of clinical manifestations is determined by the degree of damage. With a slight rupture of the fibers, the victim feels only mild discomfort on the first day. His condition usually worsens several hours after the formation of inflammatory edema. There are difficulties when moving, a slight lameness appears. Injury to the ankle ligaments with rupture of a large number of fibers manifests itself with much more severe symptoms.

Pain

Immediately at the moment of injury, the pain is so severe that the victim may lose consciousness. Often, when a ligament ruptures, a crunching sound is heard, which resembles the sound heard when a dry thick branch is broken. Acute pain persists for an hour, and then its severity gradually decreases. But as inflammatory edema forms, it can intensify significantly and be aching and pressing in nature.

Edema

Localization of inflammatory swelling is the lateral and medial sides of the ankle. Its spread to the entire lower part of the foot is extremely rare. Excessive accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues of the ankle joint causes compression of sensitive nerve endings and increased severity of pain. Inflammatory swelling forms within a few hours and disappears in about a week.

Ankle swelling is one of the symptoms of ligament rupture.

Bruise

As a result of rupture of small vessels, blood and fluid accumulate in the area of ​​injury. A hematoma forms, usually extensive, compressing soft tissue. Over time, blood cells gradually break down, causing the initially blue-violet skin tone to turn yellowish-green. The hematoma is not clearly localized, but slowly moves down towards the foot.

Hematoma due to ankle sprain.

Inability to move independently

With a moderate to severe ankle sprain, the victim experiences severe pain when trying to put weight on the foot. Therefore, he deliberately limits his movements, moves with assistance, or uses a cane or crutches. The inability of injured ligaments to perform their functions also becomes the reason for the inability to move independently. And a high severity sprain is characterized by excessive mobility of the ankle during passive movements due to a complete loss of stability of the ankle.

Classification

Depending on the characteristics of the ankle injury, the following types of this condition are distinguished:

• Inversion of the lower leg - the foot is tucked inward.
• Tibia eversion - the foot turns outward.
• Upper ankle sprain.

There are also several degrees of severity of ankle sprains:

• The first is that the fibers are torn, while most of the fibers remain intact.
• Second , half of the collagen fibers rupture. This condition is accompanied by severe swelling of the joint and displacement of joint elements.
• Third - complete damage to the ligaments is noted, severe swelling, pathological mobility and pain are observed in the area where the injury occurred.

Causes

Severe sprains of the foot can occur under the influence of the following provoking factors:

• Very strong load on the muscles of the lower leg and ankle.
• Wearing uncomfortable shoes of the wrong size.
• Sudden movements of the ankle.
• Excess weight.
• Weakness of tendons and muscles.
• Running or walking on an uneven surface.

For example, a sprained ankle can occur if a person trips on a bumpy surface or on soft ground. Such injuries occur when a person takes off or lands incorrectly when jumping. Athletes who have previously had such injuries have a particularly high risk of getting a severe sprain.

Partial tendon rupture, like other similar injuries (for example, partial damage to the anterior cruciate ligament), can occur due to a fall, blow, or sharp turn.

If a complete rupture of the ligaments occurs and the normal condition of the ankle joint is disrupted, a dislocation is diagnosed. Such injuries most often occur when moving on uneven surfaces, walking in uncomfortable shoes, etc.

Sometimes sprains in the ankle and other places occur due to the fact that a person has weak ligaments from birth. Such injuries are more likely to occur to people who have previously received similar injuries.

Causes of ankle injury

Injuries or bruises to the foot are very common, since the ankle bears a significant load of body weight. It is most involved during walking, jumping, and running. Its main function is to control the movement of the foot.

These processes involve ligaments, whose role is to stabilize the joint, limit the range of motion and protect the articular surface from damage. If the volume of these movements exceeds the permissible limit for some reason, stretching occurs.

The cause may be heavy loads, increased physical activity, uncomfortable or incorrectly selected shoes, carrying heavy loads, sudden movements or a violation of the structure of the foot. Injury and infection can cause inflammatory changes that will cause joint instability.

Symptoms of an ankle sprain

Immediately during the injury, sharp pain appears, and if a significant part of the fibers is torn, a characteristic pop can be heard. After this, swelling and hematomas appear. If the sprain is minor, a slight swelling will form in the ligament area. If the injury is more serious, swelling may spread to the entire joint. In very severe lesions, swelling also affects the distal part of the leg.

Thus, after an injury, the following symptoms appear when the ligaments are sprained in the leg:

• Pain or severe pain depends on the degree of damage.
• Development of bruising.
• The appearance of edema, swelling.
• Difficulty walking.
• Joint stiffness and instability.

Depending on the severity of the ligament damage, the symptoms of a foot sprain, as well as a hip sprain, can vary. If a person has already had a torn ligament in the foot or ankle, he may not have severe pain or swelling. In this case, instability of the joints and their incorrect position when walking are possible. However, even in the absence of severe pain, you should definitely consult a doctor.

If the Achilles tendon is sprained, there is pain and increased sensitivity in the heel area, swelling and redness appear. A characteristic feature of such an injury is that the pain increases if there is stress on the heel or toes.

It should be noted that similar symptoms are observed if the patient develops inflammation of the ligaments of the foot and ankle. Such a lesion, like inflammation of the tendons, can cause pain when walking and swelling. However, inflammation of the tendons usually causes throbbing pain, redness, as well as signs of general intoxication of the body .

Treatment

Ensuring joint immobility is the most important aspect of therapy. It is necessary to rest as much as possible and do not put any strain on the injured limb. If a ligament rupture has been diagnosed, a cast should be applied.

The main principles of treatment for ankle sprains are the following:

• applying ice on the first day after injury;
• ensuring rest of the injured limb;
• applying a pressure bandage;
• fixing the injured foot in an elevated position.

It is recommended to take the drug Acetaminophen, which will help reduce pain. You can also take painkillers to relieve pain and inflammation:

• Ibuprofen;
• Aspirin;
• Naproxen.

These drugs do not require a prescription; they can be purchased freely at pharmacies. During the rehabilitation period, it is necessary to engage in special physical therapy to reduce swelling and restore range of motion. Over time, the muscles around the ankle will begin to strengthen, which will help prevent future sprains.

Treatment for a sprained ankle will vary depending on the severity of the injury. The mild form does not require special therapy, and the ankle heals well. The patient can begin walking and doing physical exercises immediately after acquiring special shoes. It is important that he exercise caution and observe the duration and rate of load on the foot during such activity.

Walking distance and physical activity should be increased as the symptoms of an ankle sprain begin to subside.

Tests and diagnostics

To establish a diagnosis, the doctor examines and interviews the patient and evaluates the symptoms. Informative research methods are MRI, ultrasound examination of the joint, and arthroscopy. Since ligaments are soft tissue structures, they are not visible on radiographs. Therefore, x-rays are performed only to rule out a fracture.

Some characteristic signs can also distinguish a sprain from a fracture. If a sprain occurs, pain is not felt when pressing on the bone. There is also generally no significant pain at rest. There is no crepitus on palpation.

Diagnostics

In order to determine how to treat a sprain, it is necessary to conduct a full diagnosis using medical equipment.

Diagnostic measures may contain the following items:

• Examination of the patient. With the help of an initial examination, the specialist identifies the presence of swelling of the ankle, bruising, and pain. Using special manipulations, the doctor compares the degree of mobility of the diseased leg and the healthy one.
• Ultrasound. Ultrasound examination allows you to determine the type of damage (complete or partial) and possible longitudinal tears. The method is less informative than CT or MRI, since it is not possible to track traces of a fracture or excessive accumulation of fluid in the area of ​​the joint capsule.
• CT, MRI. Used to determine the presence of fractures, joint lesions, and neoplasms. The results of the study allow us to draw a complete picture of the pathology, understand why the tendon ligament was sprained, and prescribe treatment based on the current pathological process.
• X-ray. A referral for radiography is possible if a bone fracture is suspected. In other situations, the method is powerless and will not show soft tissue damage.

Attention!

Self-diagnosis in case of Achilles tendon injury is impossible. If treatment is missed, the chronic stage of the disease may develop, which is difficult to treat and requires constant monitoring.

Treatment with folk remedies

With such an injury, folk remedies can be effective auxiliary treatment methods. Compresses can be used approximately 3-4 days after injury. However, traditional methods can only be used for mild to moderate damage. In severe cases, treatment is necessary under the strict supervision of a physician. To obtain the effect, compresses should be used for at least 7 days.

The following compresses are used:

• Alcohol - to carry it out, use diluted alcohol (1 part alcohol and 3 parts water) or vodka. A cloth is soaked in the solution and applied to the area of ​​injury, covered with cellophane and a woolen scarf on top. This compress reduces pain and relieves swelling. After the compress, it is recommended to lubricate the code with a rich cream. This compress is strictly contraindicated for treating children.
• From milk - you need to soak a cloth folded in four in hot milk, apply it to the affected area and wrap it on top. Keep for about 30 minutes, twice a day.
• From clay - 1 tbsp. l. Dilute blue or white clay in warm water to the consistency of sour cream. Place a layer on gauze and apply to the affected area, wrapping it with a scarf on top. After two hours, rinse with warm water. Carry out the procedure twice a day.
• From laundry soap - mix 1 tbsp. l. crushed laundry soap, 1 yolk, 2 tbsp. l. water. When the mixture becomes homogeneous, apply it to a bandage and apply to the injured area. Secure with a bandage and leave for 6 hours.
• From an onion - grate an onion that has been in the refrigerator for several hours, add 1 tbsp. l. salt. Apply the mixture to the affected area, fix and leave for 8 hours.
• From olive oil - 1 tbsp. l. mix butter with yolk. Apply the product to the ankle, fix and leave for 8 hours.
• From cabbage - make several cuts on the leaves of fresh white cabbage and apply them to the injured area. Wrap with polyethylene and leave for several hours.

First aid

If an injury occurs to the ankle, Achilles tendon, or damage to the cruciate ligament, then subsequent recovery will depend on correctly provided first aid.

In case of an ankle injury, the algorithm for such assistance should be as follows:

• Remove shoes and socks from the injured limb.
• Immobilize the ankle and ensure complete rest. If there is no severe pain, you can apply a tight bandage. If the pain is severe, bandage the board to your leg so that it covers the ankle and knee.
• Apply cold to the injury site. It is best to apply an ice compress. After 20 minutes, take a break for half an hour and repeat the procedure again. Under no circumstances should you heat the affected area on the first day.
• Place your leg so that the shin area is higher than the pelvic area. This will promote venous drainage and the swelling will decrease slightly.
• If necessary, you should use a cane to move around.

You should definitely visit a doctor and do all the necessary examinations.

Treatment methods

Full recovery from an ankle sprain is possible. Rehabilitation takes 2–6 weeks, in severe cases it lasts up to 3 months.

Treatment for almost all ankle sprains does not require surgery. Even a complete tear of the ligament can be treated without surgery.

All treatment can be divided into 3 phases:

1. Rest, protect the ankle and reduce swelling.
2. Restore mobility, strength and flexibility.
3. Maintenance exercises and a gradual return to physical activity that does not require sudden movements of the ankle.

The duration of the three stages can be:

• from 2 weeks – for mild sprains;
• up to 3 or more months – in case of severe ligament rupture.

First aid and treatment at home

First aid for an ankle injury involves immobilizing the ankle and applying ice to the injured area.

Almost all mild cases of sprains can be treated at home.

Doctors recommend:

• Rest – Do not put any weight on the injured leg or walk.
• Applying ice – helps reduce swelling and pain. Wrap ice in a towel, then apply to the damaged area for 20–30 minutes (3–4 times a day).
• A pressure bandage is a tight bandage applied to the ankle, which allows for partial immobilization (immobilization).


Applying a bandage to the ankle joint

• Elevated ankle position – Helps reduce soft tissue swelling. To do this, lie on the bed and place a pillow under your foot so that it is above the level of your heart.


Recommendations for ankle sprains

To reduce pain and swelling from a sprain, doctors most often prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - for example, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac. They can be taken in tablet form or applied to the injured area as an ointment.

Proper first aid for a sprained ankle relieves symptoms and prevents further damage.

Conservative therapy

Sometimes additional remedies and methods are needed to treat a sprained ankle.

Crutches

During an acute injury, you may have difficulty walking, so doctors may recommend using crutches as needed.

Immobilization

During the early recovery phase, it is very important to support the ankle joint and protect it from sudden movements. For a moderate sprain, you may need an ankle brace or brace; in severe cases, you may need a cast immobilization for up to 2-3 weeks.

Ankle bandage

Therapeutic exercise (physical therapy)

To prevent stiffness of movement in the ankle joint, increase its strength and flexibility, exercise therapy exercises are used.

Examples of exercises:

1. Starting position – lying on your back. Place your toes one on top of the other. Bend each leg alternately against resistance.
2. Starting position – sitting. Bend your knees. Try to grab objects from the floor with your toes.
3. Starting position – standing, hands on your belt. Raise your leg, bend your knee, and lower your entire foot to the floor. Repeat for the other leg.

All exercises should be done daily for 6-8 approaches.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies are used only to reduce joint pain. Recipe examples:

• Aloe compress. Take 1-2 branches of aloe, chop, wrap in gauze. Apply to the joint for 20 minutes.
• Onion compress. Take one onion, add 1 teaspoon of salt. Grind, wrap in gauze. Apply to the joint for 20 minutes.

Surgery

Surgical treatment for ankle sprains is rarely required.

Operations are carried out only in the following cases:

• damage that could not be eliminated using conservative methods;
• if after several months of rehabilitation ankle instability persists.

Surgical options:

1. Arthroscopy. During this operation, the doctor inserts a video camera and tiny instruments into the ankle joint. With their help, he removes all free-floating fragments of bone and cartilage tissue, as well as parts of torn ligaments.
2. Reconstructive operations. Traumatologists restore the integrity of ligaments by stitching their torn ends. Sometimes the damaged area is replaced with a graft obtained from other ligaments or tendons located nearby.

Ankle arthroscopy

After surgical interventions, ankle immobilization is performed, with the help of which they try to protect the damaged ligaments.

The mobility and functionality of the joint is restored with the help of physical therapy exercises after the removal of the cast.

The duration of recovery depends on the severity of the injury and the complexity of the operation performed. It can range from several weeks to several months.

Prevention

To prevent sprains, you should adhere to the following preventive measures:

• Lead an active life.
• Before starting sports training, be sure to do a full warm-up. You can use a bandage or elastic bandage during your workout.
• Monitor your weight and avoid gaining extra pounds.
• Avoid putting excessive strain on the muscles.
• Wear comfortable, high-quality shoes with low heels.
• As recommended by your doctor, periodically take vitamin and mineral complexes.

Diet

Diet for sore joints

• Efficacy: therapeutic effect after 2-3 months
• Terms: 2-6 months
• Cost of products: 1700-1800 rubles. in Week

To speed up the recovery process, you should adjust your diet and introduce foods that are good for your joints. In addition, nutrition should be healthy and rational, since gaining excess weight provokes additional stress, which is very bad for the joints.

It is advisable to cook, stew, bake or steam dishes. It is recommended to limit the amount of spices, sauces, and flavor enhancers consumed.

It is recommended to include the following products in your diet:

• Greens - parsley, dill, lettuce, spinach, etc.
• Fiber – vegetables, fruits, bran.
• Meat, offal.
• Seaweed.
• Porridge made from whole grains of rice and buckwheat.
• Nuts.
• Dairy products.
• Sea fish, cod liver.
• Vegetable oils.
• Avocado.
• Seeds.
• Drinking regime is also important - for active recovery you need to drink at least 2 liters of water per day.

You should avoid the following foods:

• Fatty foods.
• Soda.
• Smoked meats.
• Marinades.
• Canned food.
• Alcohol in large doses