3 Interesting Facts About Ankle Sprains

3 December 2018
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog

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The ankle is an imperative part of your body. While it does support you while walking and standing, the ankle is also a joint that's crucial for moving properly. Unfortunately, the ankle also experiences a great deal of stress over your lifetime. If under too much pressure and strain, the ligaments of the ankle joint may stretch and even tear, affecting the way the bones and joints fit together. This is known as a sprain. Even though it is very common, most people are not familiar with the causes and treatments of an ankle sprain. This guide will help you understand a few surprising facts about ankle sprains.

It's More Common Than You Think

One of the first things you should learn about sprains is they are more common than you may think. As a matter of fact, an estimated 25,000 ankles are sprained each day. Whether from walking down a flight of stains and twisting the ankle while playing sports, it only takes a slight twist to stretch the ankle's ligaments to a point where a sprain occurs.

There are Various Stages of Sprains

Another interesting fact you may not know is that there are different stages of sprains. Each stage has different signs and pain levels. The more severe the injury is, the higher the stage of your sprain is.

In the first stage, your ankle will be swollen and painful. It may be difficult to place any weight on the ankle, as well.

In the second stage, or the moderate sprain, the ligaments have torn slightly. You will experience some pain and difficulty walking or placing any weight on the ankle.

A more severe sprain is known as a stage 3 sprain. This type of sprain occurs if there has been a significant tear in the ankle's ligaments, which can be quite painful. There will be severe instability in the ankle joint, too, which prevents you from walking or placing any kind of weight on the joint.

Professional Treatment May Be Necessary

An ankle sprain is not a life-threatening injury. However, it can affect your comfort level and quality of life. If you have experienced a severe sprain that has torn the ligaments in your ankle, seeking out professional care is important. In some instances, an orthopedist may recommend a brace to stablize the joint. He or she may recommend surgical repair of the tear in addition to physical therapy to restore the joint back to a functional state. Contact an orthopedic center like Northern Care Inc Prosthetics & Orthotics for more information.