- You have a sprained ankle when your ankle ligaments are stretched causing small
cracks have appeared; - After a week or two, you can usually just walk again. But, a sprained ankle can cause persistent complaints or become chronic;
- Treatment consists mainly of control of pain and swelling. In the case of a heavier
sprain requires more support; - After trauma, start cooling as soon as possible;
- If you have persistent or chronic symptoms, treatment and counseling by
a physical therapist desirable;
What is a sprained ankle?
It often happens when you are not paying attention for a moment. You overlook a step, unfortunately
right after a fall or you land incorrectly after a jump during exercise. Suddenly you tilt foot too far inward or outward. We refer to a sprained ankle when the ankle ligaments have stretched causing small tears. Your ankle is strengthened by a joint capsule, tendons and ankle ligaments. Those run along the inside and outside of the joint. A sprain usually involves the bands on the outside of the ankle.
The symptoms of a sprained ankle
If you have a sprained ankle, standing and walking is painful. Your ankle may become thick and blue
because blood vessels broke. If a few days after your “slip” you are back to normal can stand on your ankle and walk, you can assume you had a mild sprain. Normally, people with an ankle sprain can return to work after one to two weeks walk. Nearly everyone functions normally after six to eight weeks and can return to normal after eight to twelve weeks back to sports. An ankle ligament injury can become chronic. Your ankle then remains painful and unstable. You have the feeling that at any moment you could sprain your ankle again. This fear increases the likelihood to a new injury. If you have long-term symptoms, this can lead to a reduction in strength and coordination. Sometimes, over time, endurance also decreases.
What can the physiotherapist at Fysiotherapie & Training Amsterdam
do for you?
Treatment and supervision by one of the physical therapists is required if you:
- Complaints persist;
- Unable to strain the sprained ankle over time as before;
- Have chronic complaints;
The physical therapist first reviews the nature and severity of your symptoms and then discusses with you the expected recovery. During this recovery, the physio can guide you with education, advice and exercises. This guidance is tailored to your personal situation. If you find your ankle, for example, can’t load it the way you’d like, the physical therapist can make a customize treatment and training program. Together with your physical therapist, you will determine also the time when you return to work and when you can exercise again.
With chronic ankle pain, you and your physical therapist basically walk the same path. Your taking stock of your symptoms together. Then the physical therapist will guide you in recovery with A treatment and training program tailored to your personal situation.
Treatment of an ankle sprain
In a mild to moderate ankle sprain, treatment consists mainly of pain relief and ensure that swelling subsides. Usually you are advised to wear a bandage or elastic stocking. With a more severe sprain, your ankle needs more support. Think of tape, a brace or a splint. To rule out a bone fracture, you may need an x-ray or a
or scan. If your ankle is severely sprained, plaster casts are sometimes applied (for a short time) applied. After that, you get a few weeks of tape dressing. In exceptional cases, a sprained ankle be operated on.
How can you avoid getting a sprained ankle (again)?
In a mild to moderate ankle sprain, treatment consists mainly of pain relief and ensure that swelling subsides. Usually you are advised to wear a bandage or elastic stocking. With a more severe sprain, your ankle needs more support. Think of tape, a brace or a splint. To rule out a bone fracture, you may need an x-ray or a or scan. If your ankle is severely sprained, plaster casts are sometimes applied (for a short time) applied. After that, you get a few weeks of tape dressing. In exceptional cases, a sprained ankle be operated on.
- Wear shoes that fit well;
- Exercise your lower leg muscles;
- Do you play high-risk sports such as indoor or contact sports? If so, wear tape or (better yet) a brace. Please note that a bandage does not protect against sprain;
- Don’t return to sports right away. After an ankle injury, it is better to have two to wait three weeks with it;
- When you start exercising again, wear (depending on the type of sport) for a while or bandage or a brace to protect your ankle;
- Listen carefully to the physical therapist’s advice and stick to the treatment plan;
