A sprained ankle is the result of twisting or turning your ankle awkwardly. The result of this action can be stretching or tearing of the bands of tissues holding your ankle bones together. In particular, ankle sprains can result from “rolling” your ankle (see image to the left). This can happen when you twist your ankle so that the sole of your feet points to the center of your body (inversion). Less commonly, it can also happen if you twist the ankle with the sole pointing outwards (away from the center of your body, known as eversion). The symptoms of a sprained ankle include pain, tenderness and swelling around your ankle, among other things. Unless the sprain is very severe, treatment will definitely include resting the ankle by keeping your weight off it as much as possible for a period. It will also include icing, compression and ankle elevation as well as other measures we explain in more detail below. In rare cases, your doctor may suggest surgery to correct the problem.Another important sub category of sprains is that involving ligament damage above the ankle itself. These are known as high ankle sprains and mainly occur to athletes, especially those in contact sports like hockey.
The fundamental cause of this injury is an event that forces your ankle out of its normal position and stretches, tears or completely ruptures the ligaments that are supposed to prevent this type of event.
Examples of events that may cause this to happen include:
From this, the risk factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing this injury include participation in sports that require jumping or sudden directional changes while running. Examples include basketball, tennis and soccer.
Two other risk factors that are important are:
To treat a sprained ankle, you will need to keep your weight off it for a period (depending on the severity of the sprain). Sit or lie down as much as possible. If you must move around, use crutches or a wheel chair to keep your weight off the ankle. An ankle brace or a walking boot can provide support to your ankle and help give its ligaments the rest they need.
In addition, you can use ice and anti inflammatory medication to ease the pain. Applying compression to your ankle in the form of an elastic wrap can provide further control of the pain and swelling. Elevating your ankle over the level of your heart will also help to prevent the accumulation of inflammation there, thus accelerating the healing process.
As a final conservative treatment option, you may need to follow some rehabilitative exercises for your ankle in order to regain its original strength and functionality.
If the above conservative treatments do notwork, your doctor may recommend surgery to address the injury. This surgery can have one of 2 possible goals:
For more information, please read this article on treating a sprained ankle.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Adjustable Ankle Stabilizer uses a figure-8 strapping system for superior support and HydraMesh® fabric arch panel for wearing comfort. Replaces the MU44547 Adjustable Ankle Stabilizer.
Mueller Sports Medicine Adjustable Ankle Support features a patented strapping system. This system uses tensioning straps fixed in a criss cross pattern to offer reliable ankle support. Other features of the Adjustable Ankle Support are seamless edges for additional wearing comfort and a sectional design to increase conformance and keep bunching to a minimum. The…
The Bio Skin AFTR compresses and stabilizes your ankle following sprains, other injuries or foot/ankle surgeries.
The Bio Skin AFTR DC is designed for easy application and compresses and stabilizes your ankle following sprains, other injuries or foot/ankle surgeries.
The Bio Skin AFTR with Gel comfortably compresses and stabilizes your ankle following sprains, other injuries or foot/ankle surgeries.
The McDavid Ankle Brace / Lace Up With Stays has spring steel medical stays for solid support and is built of highly breathable two-layer polyester/vinyl mesh. The ventilated tongues makes this brace highly breathable, as do its highly breathable lining and reinforced eyelets.
The McDavid Ankle Brace With Straps is constructed of single layer polyester fabric for strong support combined with minimal weight. It can help you to prevent and/or recover from common ankle sprains.
The McDavid Ankle Sleeve / 4-Way Elastic With Gel Buttresses provides support and reduces pain, swelling and inflammation caused by to tendonitis, arthritis or soft tissue injuries like sprains or strains.
The LP Ankle Support provides support to unstable or weak ankles and will help you avoid ligament sprains as well as relieve the pain from any ankle tendonitis you may be experiencing.
The LP Ankle Support With Straps will support and compress a weak, unstable or injured ankle joint and will also help to reduce swelling and/or stiffness after an injury has occurred.
The ankle straps of the Mueller Sports Medicine ATF 2 Ankle Brace self-adjust to support your Anterior Talofibular Ligament and help protect against ‘rolling the ankle’ without restricting jumping, speed or agility. Now replaced by the ATF 3 Ankle Brace.
The Mueller Sports Medicine ATF3 Ankle Brace uses an internal strapping system with a self adjustment mechanism that helps you avoid rolling your ankle and provides superior all day wearing comfort. Replaces the ATF 2 Ankle Brace.
Fine line treatment for posterior tibial tendonitis and peroneal tendonitis. Customizable varus/valgus heel disks and arch height. Designed by a board of certified foot and ankle specialists. Viable alternative to expensive custom ankle braces.
Enjoy firm yet comfortable support for stiff, weak or sore ankles wearing the Mueller Sports Medicine Elastic Ankle Support. Fits either ankle.
The McDavid Elite Engineered Elastic Ankle Brace offers a combination of a comfortable fit, rock like stability and optimal compression. It can be your perfect choice for an ankle brace to protect against sports injuries.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Green Adjustable Ankle Support will help to protect and support sore, sprained, weak, strained and arthritic ankles. It has a patented strapping system that helps to provide reliable and uniform ankle support. The Green Adjustable Ankle Support uses a soft, petroleum free neoprene blend. This environmentally friendly material nevertheless retains your…
The Mueller Sports Medicine HG80 Hard Shell Ankle Brace provides rigid support for your ankle but is comfortable, lightweight and 100% neoprene free due to Mueller’s proprietary moisture-wicking HydraCinn fabric. This brace comes with an anti-microbial barrier for long term wearing comfort an is also latex free. For safety, it uses reflective materials to improve visibility in substandard lighting.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Hg80 Ankle Brace With Straps has extra-long dynamic criss-cross figure-8 straps and a side heel-lock with side stirrup straps.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Hg80 Premium Soft Shell Ankle Brace With Straps offers ultra comfortable criss-cross elastic straps to help you reduce the risk of ankle sprains. The Soft Shell Ankle Brace also offers superior fit and easy adjustment. The Brace is lightweight and 100% neoprene-free. You can buy the Mueller Sports Medicine Hg80 Premium…
Built for stability and convenience, the McDavid Phantom Ankle Brace boasts a rapid on/off revolutionary rear entry step system as well as patent pending exo ligament stirrup support stays and vertical tension straps for optimal medial and lateral ankle stability.
The Kinesio Pre Cut Starter Set includes one each of the Kinesio Pre Cuts for the wrist, knee, back, foot, neck & shoulder.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Soft Ankle Brace With Straps will conform closely to your ankle. You will feel as though your ankle has been taped, except without the hassle and technical skill required. The brace uses stirrup straps and non-stretch criss-cross straps to stabilize your ankle and give it the support of a tape job….
The Bio Skin Standard Ankle Skin is an all-purpose ankle support that provides compression, added stability and increased proprioception.
The McDavid Stealth Cleat Ankle Brace offers a lightweight design, rock solid ankle stability and an ultra comfortable fit. The perfect accessory to help you remain active while helping to reduce ankle injury risk.
The versatile Bio Skin TriLok delivers precision unloading to both medial and lateral structures. Its FootLok™ Strap supports and protects the lateral ligaments, the peroneal tendons, the plantar fascia or the posterior tibial tendon. You can wear the TriLok with almost any type of footwear or even barefoot if you prefer.
The McDavid True Ice Therapy Ankle Wrap pairs ice and compression therapy to provide additional therapeutic effectiveness in treating ankle injuries.
The LP X-Tremus Ankle Support is a great solution for ankle sprains or instability. Equipped with a Plantar Magic Power Band to preserves energy consumption when dorsi-flexed and enhance explosive motion while plantar flexing. A Double-Eight Stable Contoured Structure stabilizes the ankle to ward off sprains. Durable Fitting Knit with high permeability fabric to ensure wearing durability and breathability. A J-shape silicone pad around the heel cord to gently massage the area to help reduce ankle pain and swelling. Sizes available are Small, Medium, Large, X-Large and XX-Large.
