Avoid Ankle Sprains That Just Won’t Heal

It should come as no surprise that ankle sprains are, by a good margin, the most common of all athletic injuries. Whether you’re a runner, dancer, play basketball or football, or even a golfer, your ankles are an obvious weak point. They have to be durable enough to absorb heavy landings, nimble enough to provide stability and make quick pivots, and powerful enough to launch you forward or into the air. It’s a big job, and injuries are an all-too-frequent result.

Unfortunately, the “ordinariness” of ankle sprains may lull some people into a fall sense of security, or give them a somewhat casual attitude toward their treatment and recovery. However, sprains can have profound long-term effects on the health, function, and stability of your ankles long after the injury takes place—especially if you don’t follow through with proper treatment protocols. This can include:

• Ankle sprains that just never seem to heal or go away, with pain and swelling that lasts months or even years after the initial injury.
• Ankles that never really regain their flexibility and function after an injury. This loss of motion not only reduces athletic performance, but affects your entire walking gait in ways that could lead to pain throughout the legs and back.
• Ankles that never fully regain their strength and durability after an injury, which usually means many more sprains follow. It also may mean that the weakened ligaments feel unstable or like they’re always about to give way.
• Ankles that develop early-onset, post-traumatic pain and arthritis, in some cases many years after the initial injury.

If you sprain your ankle, trust us—you don’t want to gamble with your future. Don’t assume that a little rest is all you need. Give us a call, schedule an appointment, and get the treatment you need. This will minimize the risk of long-term pain or complications as much as possible. Plus, it will help get you back on your feet and on the field as quickly as possible.

In addition to the standard post-injury protocols of rest, ice, compression, and elevation, you may need a cast or walking boot, crutches, splints, a brace, etc. to immobilize the ankle during healing and support it once you’re cleared for weight-bearing. Physical therapy will also be important to rebuild strength and range of motion.

Let our team of experts provide the proper care for your ankle sprain, or help you find relief for your ongoing “just-won’t-heal” ankle injury. Dial (480) 963-9000 to schedule today.