Have you sprained your ankle recently? You may have noticed some pain and discomfort. Did you see some swelling, too? Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries we see among our patients. They are also left untreated. For some reason, people don’t take ankle sprains as seriously as they should. We’re here to help you understand what happens during a sprain. We’ll also share how you should respond next.

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi helps patients understand that any form of injury to a foot or ankle is a reason to schedule a visit. Acting fast can ease symptoms and prevent complications.

Here are five answers to frequent questions:

What is an ankle sprain?

If you roll, twist, or even unusually turn your ankle, you may have an ankle sprain. During this event, there can be stretching and tearing of the ligaments. These hold your ankle bones together.

What causes this injury?

Many actions can cause this common injury. You can be dancing to your favorite song and move your ankle the wrong way. As you move back and forth on the soccer field or basketball court, an injury can occur like this, too. Falling awkwardly is another cause.

Are there prevention tips?

We love to share ways to prevent unplanned visits to our offices. One way to prevent this injury is to know the risk factors:

Do you play a sport? Basketball, football, tennis, and others have athletes who experience this common injury.
Do you practice on uneven surfaces like a poorly maintained field, track, or court?
Do your shoes need an upgrade? If your shoes aren’t fitting properly, you’re at risk of an injury.

What are the symptoms?

As usual, if you ever feel pain while moving, please stop. Here are common symptoms:

Pain
Tenderness
Swelling
Bruising
Instability

What should I do after an injury?

Once you have stopped your activity, contact a doctor. Untreated ankle sprains can lead to lingering symptoms, weak ankles, and even arthritis. Next, focus on the R.I.C.E. method. Rest your ankle, use an ice pack, apply compression, and elevate your ankle.

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi treats a range of conditions, including Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, athlete’s foot, complications from diabetes, fractures, fungal toenails, and more. He also performs foot and ankle surgery. He is a board-certified podiatrist in Woodland Park, NJ. Contact the office at 973-256-0002.