Ankle sprains are common injuries that need proper treatment to prevent long-term problems. Board-certified podiatrists Timothy Horak, DPM, and Julia Shauger, DPM, diagnose and treat sprained ankles at American Surgeons Group in Homewood, South Chicago Heights, and Mokena, Illinois. If you think you may have a sprained ankle, call or book an appointment online.
A sprained ankle happens when the ligaments, or tough bands of tissue that support your ankle, stretch and tear. Ankle sprains can result from rolling, twisting, or turning your ankle in a way that stretches the ligaments beyond their limits.
Ankle sprains range from mild to severe. A mild ankle sprain may involve microscopic fraying of the ligament fibers while a severe sprain causes the ligament to tear completely and may even cause ankle joint damage.
Most minor ankle sprains heal with home treatments like rest and ice, but severe ankle pain and swelling requires medical care. If you can’t put weight on your injured ankle without pain, you should call American Surgeons Group for treatment.
Without proper care, sprained ankles can lead to persistent foot and ankle pain, arthritis, and other problems that may affect your ability to walk or run.
Signs and symptoms of a sprained ankle vary depending on the severity of the sprain. If you have a sprained ankle, you may experience:
In some cases, you may also experience a popping sound or sensation when the injury occurs.
People of all ages get sprained ankles for various reasons. This type of injury can happen during sports or while walking to your mailbox. You may sprain your ankle during a fall or unintentionally roll your foot while running.
Regardless of how your ankle sprain occurred, Dr. Horak or Dr. Shauger help you recover and prevent future injuries from happening.
First, Dr. Horak or Dr. Shauger carefully examine your foot and ankle. They may gently press the area and test your range of motion to determine which ligament is injured. They may also take an X-ray, MRI or ultrasound to rule out an ankle fracture.
Then, Dr. Horak or Dr. Shauger develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual condition. Depending on the severity of your sprain, treatment may include:
If your ankle is severely sprained or fractured, they may recommend surgical repair. Dr. Horak has extensive experience in minimally invasive ankle surgery.
For expert treatment of ankle sprains and injuries, call American Surgeons Group or book an appointment online.