A sprained ankle is painful and can require steady treatment for weeks or even a few months. For some people, the symptoms of a sprained ankle tend to linger, sometimes even for years, leading to constant pain and weakness in the ligaments. If you have chronic ankle issues, you need to work with your healthcare professional to find a treatment plan that works for you.
Types
Most sprains are called inversion sprains. When this type of injury occurs, you may simply say that you turned your ankle. When your foot turns too far inward, it can strain or tear one of the ligaments. When you sprain the ligaments above your ankle, known as a high ankle sprain, the injury takes longer to heal, sometimes even twice as long. Although you often hear of athletes having this injury, you can be a couch potato and suffer from one when you trip over the ottoman.
Chronic Pain
If you have had a serious ankle sprain or a fracture, you can end up with chronic pain in the outside ankle joint. You may experience inflammation, acquire scar tissue, or develop arthritis, meaning you never really recover from your initial injury. Plus, once you have harmed your ankle, it is more vulnerable to additional injuries. As a result, you can end up with pain years after you sprain your ankle, especially if you do not pursue the proper treatment.
Treatment
Your ankle can be treated using various methods, including an ankle brace, anti-inflammatories, and even steroid injections. Physical therapy may be your best course of action, however. Your physical therapist or chiropractor may be able to help by manipulating the ligaments and maneuvering the foot and ankle bones back into place. They may have become misaligned during the original injury. You might need to pursue several different types of treatment, including OTC painkillers and ice packs in addition to visiting your doctor.
Once you have had a severe sprain, you may never be entirely free of pain and weakness. As a result, you will need to continue treatment to keep your ankle stable. Don't be afraid to wear an ankle brace when inflammation and tenderness return or when you are going to put more strain on it than usual. Also, consult with your doctor or therapist, such as South Shore Wellness Center, to determine which treatment methods will work best for you. A sprained ankle sometimes refuses to heal completely, but there are ways to minimize the pain.
