Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
February 20, 2017
Many of us have experienced a minor ankle sprain at one point or another, so it’s easy to dismiss this injury as something that doesn’t require a doctor’s intervention. But as Little Elm podiatrist Dr. Verville warns, an ankle sprain may seem minor, but turn into something more serious. Often, Dr. Verville doesn’t see Little Elm patients with an ankle sprain until the condition has already worsened, sometimes causing permanent damage, the risk of repeated injuries or even requiring surgery. Read on to understand why you should never just walk through the pain of an ankle sprain, and why you should always see a Little Elm podiatrist every time you sprain your ankle.
What Happens When You Get an Ankle Sprain?
When Little Elm patients experience an ankle sprain, even a minor one, they aren’t just dealing with a little bit of inconvenient pain. They are stretching and tearing the ligaments in the ankle that stabilize the ankle and prevent side-to-side movement, which can easily progress into something more severe. While a minor ankle sprain may just be slightly painful, a more severe sprain can cause bruising, excessive swelling and make it difficult if not impossible to bear weight on the affected ankle.
Why Should I See a Podiatrist If I Can Walk Through the Pain?
An ankle sprain is not something to be taken lightly. Even if you can walk or limp through the pain of an ankle sprain, you should still see a podiatrist for treatment. That’s because most Little Elm patients don’t realize that something like a mild ankle sprain can turn into permanent damage to the ankle, repeated injuries or even require surgery to correct damage to the ankle ligaments. If you have an ankle sprain, mild or severe, you should see Little Elm podiatrist Dr. Verville immediately for a full evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan. Because your pain tolerance is no indication of just how much ligament damage has actually occurred, when you come to Dr. Verville with an ankle sprain she will typically order an MRI to see just how severely damaged the ligaments are.
How Does a Podiatrist Treat an Ankle Sprain?
Little Elm patients should know that an ankle sprain worsens by not treating it properly. Proper treatment for an ankle sprain includes:
- Evaluation and diagnosis by a podiatrist;
- Icing and anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the swelling of the ankle;
- Elevating and resting the ankle to hasten recovery time;
- Using crutches and not walking on the injured ankle to prevent additional or worsening injuries;
- Using a medical brace to support the damaged ligaments in the ankle sprain and reduce swelling;
- In severe cases, surgery may be required to fix damage to the affected ligaments.
How Soon After an Ankle Sprain Should I See a Little Elm Podiatrist?
If you’ve experienced an ankle sprain, even one that seems “minor” and that you think you can grin and bear your way through it, you should see a Little Elm podiatrist immediately. Remember, most Little Elm patients don’t see Dr. Verville until their ankle sprain has already worsened or they have experienced repeated injuries – all of which can be avoided by treating every ankle sprain properly as soon as they occur.
To schedule an appointment with Little Elm podiatrist Dr. Verville today, call (214) 385-8822.
