Even Taking Care of Minor Injuries Is So Important!
Summer sports are in full swing, but with summer sports often come summer sports injuries. Caring for foot and ankle injuries correctly is incredibly important, especially if you are trying to get back on your feet for the fall sports that are right around the corner.
One of the most common injuries in any sport is a sprained ankle. Even though it may not seem like the most severe injury, it is crucial to care for a sprain properly in order to avoid the development of more serious problems down the road.
There are countless myths and misconceptions about how to care for an ankle sprain, both when and after it happens. Luckily, we have the podiatrist approved answers to the commonly asked questions! Following these guidelines will set you up with the best chances of making a full recovery without a doctor’s visit.
Should I Leave My Shoe On My Foot?
NO! A common misconception about ankle sprains is that you should leave your shoe on your foot to compress swelling, but this actually can cause more damage down the road. Immediately after the injury occurs, you should remove your shoe, and use ice to reduce pain and swelling.
I Can Just Walk It Off, Right?
Even if you feel like your pain tolerance is high enough to “walk off” your injury, you should immediately sit and elevate it. Putting unnecessary pressure on your foot will cause more pain in the days following your injury, even if you feel like you can handle it at the moment. This unnecessary strain can also cause a more serious injury that will take even longer to recover from.
If I Feel Better In a Few Minutes, Can I Go Back In the Game?
Absolutely NOT. Even if your ankle starts to feel better immediately after icing and elevating, you should not go back in the game. Since your ankle is already unstable, it is more susceptible to other, more severe injuries. Continuing to put pressure on your injury can also traumatize it further and lead to more severe pain in the following days. It is always better to take a conservative approach and give your body the rest it needs to fully recover
What SHOULD I Do?
Immediately following your injury, the best treatment plan is the R.I.C.E. method. R.I.C.E. Rice stands for Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. This means you should immediately sit down and stay off of your injured ankle, compress your injury with an ice pack to reduce swelling and sit with your foot elevated. When you injure yourself, blood rushes to the spot of the injury and causes swelling. This also impacts blood circulation throughout the body. Elevating your foot uses gravity to pull blood away from the injured area, reducing swelling and restoring normal blood flow.
When Should I See A Doctor?
After consistently resting and using the R.I.C.E. method, your ankle should feel significantly better. After about a week, if you don’t feel like your pain and mobility have improved, then you should make an appointment with your doctor. From here, your doctor can conduct more in-depth assessments and provide a treatment plan that works best with your lifestyle and your injury.
It can be so hard for athletes, young athletes especially, so stay off their feet and take a few days off from playing the sport they love. But, these couple of days could be the difference between a long-term and a short-term injury. It’s better to miss that practice or that game or that morning workout a few times than to push your body too far and cause a more severe injury that takes much longer to recover from. One week of prevention is worth the months, or even years, of severe injury that can come from not listening to your body.
Interested in learning more? Contact us at Lexington Podiatry for additional information.
FAQs
A common misconception about ankle sprains is that you should leave your shoe on your foot to compress swelling, but this actually can cause more damage down the road. Immediately after the injury occurs, you should remove your shoe, and use ice to reduce pain and swelling.
Can a podiatrist treat a sprained ankle? ›
A visit to a podiatrist is the next step for an ankle injury that goes beyond a mild sprain. After an evaluation, a treatment plan can be established for the patient to follow at home. By following the direction of the doctor and committing to at-home treatment, a patient can be on the path to healing in no time.
What kind of doctor looks at sprained ankles? ›
Both podiatrists and orthopedists can treat foot and ankle problems. You can see either type of doctor for surgical and nonsurgical solutions. If you want to see an orthopedist, it's a good idea to choose a doctor that specializes in foot and ankle pain.
How much is an ankle injury worth? ›
How much is the average workers' comp ankle injury settlement? Workers who settled with workers' comp for an ankle injury received an average of $30,720, according to 2023 data from the National Safety Council (NSC). That includes a $14,159 indemnity payment from the insurance company and $16,561 for medical care.
What doctor treats high ankle sprains? ›
For severe injuries, you may be referred to a specialist in musculoskeletal injuries, such as an orthopedic surgeon or a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
What is the best doctor to see for an ankle injury? ›
Podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle care. Conversely, orthopedists cater to general musculoskeletal problems. Although an orthopedist technically has studied foot and ankle problems, a podiatrist specializes in them. This specialization allows a podiatrist to better address issues unique to your foot and ankle.
Does a podiatrist treat torn ligaments? ›
The specific medical professional that can help with this kind of injury is a podiatrist, a provider focused on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the feet and ankles. Some podiatrists are also surgically trained and can repair ligaments accordingly.
How much compensation can you get for a sprained ankle? ›
A sprained ankle that would be seen as a modest injury, could see a payout of up to £16,770. A moderately sprained ankle could see compensation of £16,770 to £32,450. £8,870 to £15,370 compensation for a sprained ankle with some minor damage to the Achilles tendon.
Can I sue for an ankle sprain? ›
In a sprained ankle lawsuit, it may be necessary to prove that the injury was caused by someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, such as a property owner failing to maintain safe conditions on their premises. A fractured ankle is a broken bone in the ankle joint.
How much compensation will I get for a broken ankle? ›
Ankle injury compensation amounts
| Type of Ankle Injury | Estimated Compensation Amount |
|---|
| Severe ankle injuries that require lengthy recuperation with complete or near complete recovery | £15,000 |
| Twisted or broken ankle with incomplete recovery | £7,500 |
| Twisted or broken ankle with full recovery | £3,500 |
1 more rowTreatment. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) is used to reduce swelling. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used.
What is the squeeze test for a high ankle sprain? ›
Your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon may also perform two tests called the squeeze test and the external rotation test. The squeeze test is performed by squeezing the leg just below the knee to see if pain radiates to the ankle area, which would suggest a high ankle sprain.
What can the ER do for a sprained ankle? ›
How will your ER or urgent care clinician treat your ankle sprain? Your provider will recommend the home care measures listed above (R.I.C.E., over-the-counter pain medication). In addition, they may: Provide you with an ankle brace or bandage.
Who to go to for a sprained ankle? ›
If there's just a little bit of swelling or bruising and some pain, and maybe you can't move it a lot, but you can move it, chances are you can treat it at home. But if progress at home isn't good, it's OK to see your primary care physician in the next few days to get advice on how to take care of it.
Where can I get a treatment for a sprained ankle? ›
If the pain from a sprained ankle that you are managing yourself has not improved after a day or so, it is best to seek medical advice. See your doctor or consult with a physiotherapist.
Is there a difference between a podiatrist and a foot and ankle specialist? ›
A foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon performs complex surgical procedures, not performed by a podiatrist. There can be some overlap in what a podiatrist treats and what an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist treats such as the simpler conditions of sprains and strains.
Can a podiatrist help with swollen ankles? ›
A podiatrist is a specialist who manages and treats almost all symptoms that involve the ankle and/or the foot. If you are experiencing any of the following problems or symptoms, it's time to make an appointment to see a podiatrist. Numbness, pain or swelling in one foot.
