Sprained Ankles Need to Be Taken Seriously

The most recent wicked winter weather that blew through the region left mounds of snow and ice on streets and sidewalks, and a concern is that the wet, icy residue could send people sprawling as they try to dig out and get back to their regular routine.

Sprained ankles are common injuries caused by slips and falls in the winter and sports injuries throughout the year. When someone sprains their ankle, they typically experience pain (especially on the outside of their ankle), swelling, bruising and may have difficulty bearing weight on that foot, explains Geoffrey Phillips, MD, orthopedist at the North Shore-LIJ Health System. There are about one million people who go to physicians because of their sprained ankles, Dr. Phillips says. More than 40 percent of those ankle sprains later lead to more severe issues.

“Not all ankle sprains are what we consider the common ankle sprain,” Dr. Phillips said. “The other conditions that can occur and present in a similar fashion you do not want to miss. One of those is the high ankle sprain. That involves tearing of the ankle ligaments.”

With high ankle sprains, there is also sometimes a fracture in the person’s leg as well. A severe rupture of these ligaments would require surgery.

“Fortunately, the vast majority of ankle sprains can be treated with conservative management, which includes physical therapy,” Dr. Phillips said. “Very rarely is surgery indicated for the treatment of an ankle sprain.”

The way people should treat their sprained ankles includes rest, ice, compression and elevation – the RICE treatment. Physical therapy may also be required.

“If a patient who has undergone the appropriate treatment including physical therapy and rehabilitation fails to progress, then you start to think maybe it is something else,” Dr. Phillips said. “And at that point an advanced imaging study, such as an MRI, is indicated.”

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