Ankle Pain

While ankle sprains are usually caused by a single event such as a fall, landing awkwardly after a jump, or having someone step or land on your foot, there are often underlying causes such as a previous ankle injury, poor footwear choices or a lack of flexibility or strength in the ankle. Previous ankle injuries are a major culprit as they weaken your ankle, greatly increasing the incidence of such injuries. To avoid this from occurring, consult a doctor or podiatrist to see what treatment options are available for you.

As ankle sprains are frequently accompanied by a noticeable twisting or turning of the ankle, they are usually quite noticeable. Symptoms can include

• Pain, particularly when weight-bearing
• Soreness and/or tenderness
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Restricted range of motion
• Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury

If the pain is consistent and persists,  or if the intensity greatly increases when weight bearing, the ankle may have been fractured rather than sprained. You should always consult a podiatrist or lower limb specialist to ensure that there is no lasting damage.

While ankle injuries can often frequently heal on their own, the underlying causes are often unaddressed, leading to a higher incidence of future injury. A severe ankle sprain may take several months for a full recovery. Left ignored, complications such as chronic ankle instability or even ankle arthritis may occur.

Depending on the severity and type of injury, treatment for ankle sprains can range from first applying R.I.C.E treatment to the initial injury to using crutches or splints to using electromagnetic stimulation to help facilitate recovery. In Singapore, doctors often prescribe cold compresses to constrict pain and further inflammation of the injured foot. In addition, oral medication with anti-inflammatory or analgesic/pain-relieving purposes may also be prescribed.

If the injury is severe, physical therapy may be prescribed for rehabilitation purposes. Surgical intervention is rare and is typically only done if there is significant bone deterioration or if conservative methods have failed to stabilise the ankle joint after an extended period of treatment.

Surgery is rarely required for ankle sprains as the ligaments of the ankle are often able to heal on their own over time. However, you should still seek treatment from a foot doctor or podiatrist to avoid worsening the injury, speed up recovery and reduce the likelihood of future injury.