An ankle sprain can range from mild to severe, depending on how badly the ligament is damaged and how many ligaments are injured. With a mild sprain, the ankle may be tender, swollen, and stiff. But it usually feels stable, and
you can walk with little pain
.
How long should you wait to walk on a sprained ankle?
How Long Should You Wait to Walk on a Sprained Ankle? Generally speaking, the sooner you can walk on your ankle the better. If it is not too painful to walk on your ankle immediately after an injury it’s a good sign that you don’t have severe ligament or bone damage. Take it easy for the first
24 to 72 hours
.
Can you walk on a Grade 1 sprained ankle?
Grade 1: Stretching or slight tearing of the ligament with mild tenderness, swelling and stiffness. The ankle feels stable and it is
usually possible to walk with minimal pain
.
How do you tell if your ankle is strained or sprained?
- Pain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot.
- Tenderness when you touch the ankle.
- Swelling.
- Bruising.
- Restricted range of motion.
- Instability in the ankle.
- Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury.
Is it OK to walk on a sprained ankle?
Walking: Did you know that walking can promote healing for a sprained ankle? In the first few days, you should stay off the foot. As the swelling decreases and the ankle starts to heal,
short distance walking can be good
for your recovery. Start slowly and gradually build up your distance and endurance.
Should I go to the hospital for a sprained ankle?
Go to
urgent care
if your pain level and swelling is significant and you have difficulty walking, to the point that you need assistance, due to the pain. Go to the emergency room if your foot is bruised, deformed, or you are unable to walk at all. You may have a fracture, broken bone or serious ligament damage.
Can a sprained ankle get worse?
If your symptoms last more than a week without getting better, or if they seem to be getting worse and are accompanied by a fever, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. More severe sprains should be treated by a healthcare provider.
What helps a sprained ankle heal faster?
- Rest. Resting the ankle is key for healing, and wearing a brace can help stabilize the injured area. …
- Ice. Using an ice pack may reduce blood flow to the injury and help ease pain and swelling. …
- Compression. Compression helps stabilize the injured joint and may reduce swelling. …
- Elevation.
How long does a rolled ankle take to heal?
Mild, low-grade ankle sprains will usually heal in
one to three weeks
with proper rest and non-surgical care( such as applying ice). Moderate injuries may take between three and four weeks. Because of limited blood flow to the ligaments of the ankle, more severe injuries may take between three and six months to heal.
How do you know if ankle injury is serious?
People with a more severe ankle sprain — characterized by
extreme bruising or swelling and an inability to bear weight
on the foot without significant pain, or when there doesn’t seem to be any improvement over the first several days after the injury — should seek medical attention, Drs. SooHoo and Williams say.
Can walking on a sprained foot make it worse?
Yes
. That’s the very short answer. According to the National Association of Athletic Trainers, ankle injuries, including sprains, are very often undertreated. Ignoring treatment, including excessive movement of the ankle through unnecessary walking, leads to a greater risk of worsening the injury.
What does a grade one ankle sprain look like?
A Grade 1 sprain is one where the ligaments have not torn, only stretched further than normal. Symptoms of a first-degree sprain include
discomfort when jumping, jogging or sometimes walking
. Pain is usually mild and swelling is minimal. The joint may be a little stiff and slightly less stable than normal.
What is the fastest way to heal a Grade 1 ankle sprain?
Compression helps decrease swelling and provides stability to your ankle by immobilizing it. You should apply a compression bandage as soon as a sprain occurs. Wrap your ankle with an elastic bandage, such as an ACE bandage, and leave it on for 48 to 72 hours. Wrap the bandage snugly, but not tightly.
What happens if you leave a sprained ankle untreated?
A sprained ankle can
turn into a serious chronic instability
if left untreated. When you leave torn ligaments to heal on their own, they can fuse together haphazardly and form weak, inflexible scar tissue. Your range of motion can suffer tremendously, resulting in difficulty walking for the long term.
How do you tell the difference between a sprain and a break?
With a sprain, you feel pain. But if you have
numbness or tingling
, your ankle is most likely broken. Where is the pain? If your ankle hurts or is tender to the touch directly over your ankle bone, you probably have a fracture.
Why does my ankle hurt but there is no swelling?
However, there are two injuries that can lead to ankle pain when walking but not cause swelling.
A low-grade ankle sprain
is one injury that can cause ankle pain when you’re walking and not lead to any swelling. Sprains involve structures in your ankle called ligaments.
