How to Keep an Acute Ankle Sprain from Becoming a Chronic Instability

Sprained ankles are common, and even light ones impact the ankle’s supporting ligaments and joints. However, repeated ankle sprains can signal a budding instability problem. Increased ligament and joint laxity cause sprains to occur more frequently and cause even more damage. 

David Dickerson, MD, and Shawn Denning, DNP, APN, at Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, serve many patients suffering from ankle sprains throughout Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Wall Township, New Jersey. They can help you avoid chronic instability from repeated sprains so you can live life on a more solid footing. 

What is a sprained ankle?

Unfortunately, sprained ankles are some of the most common musculoskeletal injuries nationwide. An old saying goes, “as easy as spraining an ankle,” which reveals much about how just one bad step can cause an injury. It’s not just a small matter; up to 70% of patients who sprained an ankle have more problems, including chronic ankle instability. 

Some of the immediate symptoms you may encounter with a sprained ankle include: 

• Pain, which worsens with any weight put on the foot
• Extreme tenderness 
• Bruising and swelling around the ankle joint
• Reduced range of motion
• Ankle joint instability 
• A popping sound or snapping sensation in your ankle 

Spraining an ankle means stretching or tearing the ligaments that connect the bones inside the ankle joint.

How can I avoid chronic ankle instability?

Protecting your ligaments from additional damage and promoting correct healing after an ankle injury is critical. Here’s how you should care for your ankle sprain:

1. RICE

Reduce the swelling as quickly as possible using the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation):

• Rest and stay off of your ankle
• Ice your injury to reduce swelling and pain
• Compress your ankle by wrapping it in an elastic bandage or compression sleeve
• Elevate the injury above your heart 

Do this as soon as possible after the injury while you contact Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine for an appointment. 

2. Seek help from a specialist

Ligament issues can develop into serious and chronic problems without the proper treatment. Ankle sprains are more serious than you may imagine, and the temptation to “walk it off” may only worsen your condition. Ankle sprains typically fall into one of three grade categories: 

• Grade 1: minimal ligament stretching and no tearing
• Grade 2: partial ligament tearing
• Grade 3: full tearing or rupturing of one or more ligaments

Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine specialists assess your foot and ankle to identify which ligaments have been impacted and determine the extent of any damage. Your provider then creates a customized treatment strategy to protect your ankle while you heal properly. Our goal is to ensure that you regain full range of motion and strength in your ankle so you don’t sprain it again.  

3. Don’t rush your recovery

Even mild grade 1 ankle sprains may need up to a month of treatment and rehabilitation. Grade 2 or 3 sprains can require several months or longer to restore strength and range of motion in the area. We may recommend an extended course of physical therapy, joint aspiration, corticosteroid injections, or a customized brace, splint, or orthotic to help stabilize your ankle during recovery. 

If you’ve suffered an ankle sprain, call Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at 732-691-4898 or request an appointment online today.