Pinpoint the symptoms of a sprained ankle and figure out when to see a doctor. 

A sprained ankle is one of the most common injuries that is seen and treated by our Leander, TX podiatrists, Dr. Brian Hochman and Dr. Van Dao Hochman. However, when is it really necessary to seek sprained ankle treatment? Read on to find out.

Sprained ankle symptoms

While the only way to truly determine whether or not you have a sprained ankle is by seeing a podiatrist for a diagnosis, here are some of the most common symptoms of the condition:

• Pain, particularly when putting weight on the foot
• Ankle tenderness
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Limited mobility or range of motion
• Instability or weakness
• An audible popping sound at the moment the injury occurred

Symptoms vary based on the severity of the sprain; however, if you are experiencing any pain or swelling and fear that you have injured your ankle, then you need to call your Leander, TX  foot doctors right away to figure out whether you should come in for an evaluation. Severe symptoms could mean that there is serious damage to a bone or ligament, two cases which require prompt treatment.

Treatment options for a sprained ankle 

Minor sprains can often be treated with simple at-home care, which is something that we can determine when you come into our office for an evaluation. Based on the extent of the injury, we may recommend conservative treatment options such as,

• Taking anti-inflammatory medications
• Icing the problem area
• Resting
• Elevation of the ankle
• Compression of the swollen area

If you’re dealing with a more moderate-to-severe ankle sprain, then you may need to wear a protective boot or use crutches to take weight off of the injured ankle until it has healed. Your podiatrist may also recommend physical therapy and rehab to improve functionality and range of motion as the ligaments, joints, and muscles heal.

Surgery to repair the ligament or surrounding soft tissue may be recommended if the ankle hasn’t properly healed or if there is long-term ankle instability, however, this scenario is rare.

Need treatment? Give us a call

Do you think that your ankle pain and swelling is due to a sprained ankle? If so, trust in the experts at Crystal Falls Foot + Ankle Specialists in Leander, TX to help you get on the road to recovery. Call us today at (512) 738-8896 to schedule a consultation.