Are you wondering whether your sprained ankle necessitates a medical visit? Read on to learn how a primary care physician can deal with a sprained ankle. An ankle sprain occurs when the ankle's ligaments are injured, usually, because they were stretched past their breaking point and tear, as they do when the ankle rolls, twists, or turns in an unusual manner.
The need for a medical visit for a sprained ankle
It is important to remember that the symptoms of sprains and strains are similar. In either case, the best course of action is to schedule a medical visit and see a primary care physician to check the injury properly, give a diagnosis, and ensure correct healing. In addition, allowing a sprained ankle to heal without care might result in the torn ligaments forming weak and inflexible scar tissue, causing chronic discomfort and instability.
Diagnosing a sprained ankle
The physician will perform a physical examination and will likely request imaging tests to diagnose the ankle sprain. They will examine the region and palpate it for indications of swelling and bruises. The foot's range of motion and pain areas will be checked by moving the foot around. The doctor will also examine the patient for balance issues.
If the ankle sprain is severe, the doctor may recommend an MRI, ultrasonography, or CT scan. However, the typical imaging option is an x-ray scan. The findings will help pinpoint the exact area of the sprain and ensure there are no additional injuries such as dislocation, fracture, or cartilage and tendon damage.
Types of ankle sprains
An ankle sprain is classified based on its severity. The grades include:
Grade 1: The ligaments have been strained somewhat with microscopic tears. Minor pain, swelling, soreness, and bruising are the most common symptoms. Patients can usually stand or walk with minimal restrictions. Recovery might take a few weeks.
Grade 2: This grade indicates partial ligament tears and is often characterized by moderate discomfort, edema (swelling), soreness, restricted range of motion, bruising, and instability. It is often hard to stand or walk without feeling that the ankle will give way. It may take some months to recover from a grade 2 ankle sprain.
Grade 3: In this case, the ligaments are completely torn, with no individual fibers remaining. It is characterized by severe pain, swelling, bruising-induced skin discoloration, a significant loss of range of motion, and difficulty walking. It might take many months to recover from a grade 3 ankle sprain.
Ankle sprain treatment
In many cases, noninvasive therapies are enough to help a sprained ankle heal. Over-the-counter pain relievers, a brace to support the ankle, and physical therapy are possible treatment options. Patients will also learn to avoid re-injury and resume their favorite activities safely and progressively. Exercises to increase flexibility and range of motion may be included in this program.
In Conclusion
If you believe you have sprained your ankle, you need to make a primary care medical visit to have it checked out. The physician will examine the foot and ankle and recommend treatment options.
Request an appointment or call Orange County House Calls at 949-204-1334 for an appointment in our Aliso Viejo office.
Related Posts
The average medical clinic provides primary health care to patients across all demographics. Many others specialize in caring for specific groups of people. For example, some clinics focus on providing healthcare to children, women, or older patients.Medical clinics with family doctors or internists fall into the first category. Such clinics or medical practices offer first-line…
Wondering whether you should go to a walk in clinic for your minor ailment? Read on to find out. If you have a mild sickness, such as a cold, flu, sinus infection, rash, or injury, you may be unsure of where to go for treatment. Visiting the emergency room for a mild sickness is not…
Not all medical procedures require an overnight stay at a medical clinic. Continue reading to learn more about common outpatient procedures. Outpatient medical treatments are referred to as ambulatory care, which means that the procedure does not require an overnight stay at the medical clinic.Outpatient treatments have their benefits. There is typically less time spent…