Each day in the United States, a whopping 25,000 people sprain their ankles, making it one of the most common injuries. At Michfoot Surgeons PC, the team of foot and ankle specialists, led by Randy Leff, DPM, and Kevin Sorensen, DPM, helps patients in Southfield, Michigan, get back on their feet again as quickly as possible. If you’re grappling with a sprained ankle, call or fill out the online form to set up an appointment.
Sprained Ankle Q & A
What is a sprained ankle?
A sprained ankle is a strain, pull, or tear in the ligaments that surround and support your ankle joint. Even though your ligaments are designed for movement, if you roll, twist, or otherwise force these ligaments past their stretching point, they can develop small or large tears that lead to inflammation and pain.
What should I do if I suspect a sprained ankle?
If you suspect you’ve sprained your ankle, you should immediately apply the RICE method:
- Rest
- Ice
- Elevation
- Compression
The idea behind the RICE method is to reduce inflammation and prevent further damage. If you apply the RICE method for more than 24 hours and there’s no improvement, or your symptoms have worsened, it’s time for you to seek help at Michfoot Surgeons PC.
If you’ve incurred a bad sprain and you’re unable to put any pressure on your lower limb, it’s a good idea to get checked out sooner rather than later (but you should still apply the RICE method while you wait for your appointment).
How are sprained ankles treated?
When you come in, either Dr. Leff or Dr. Sorensen first examines your ankle and orders advanced imaging, such as an X-ray, to get a closer look at what’s going on inside. This is important because you may have sustained a fracture in addition to the sprain, and this will dictate your treatment plan moving forward.
Depending upon the severity of the ankle sprain, your doctor may recommend:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Bandaging, splinting, or bracing
- Crutches if you’re having trouble bearing weight
- Physical therapy
The podiatrists at Michfoot Surgeons PC also turn to regenerative medicine and laser treatments to speed up the healing process. With regenerative medicine, your doctor taps the healing power of the human body by directing powerful stem cells or platelets into the injured area to encourage increased cell repair and rebuilding.
Using an MLS laser, your doctor directs light energy into your ligaments, which offers the following benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory effect
- Analgesic effect
- Accelerated tissue repair and cell growth
- Improved vascular activity
- Increased metabolic activity
- Reduced fibrous tissue formation (scarring)
- Immunoregulation
Ultimately, these innovative therapies are designed to help your sprained ankle heal more quickly, getting you back on your feet in short order.
To recover safely and quickly after a sprained ankle, call Michfoot Surgeons PC, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.