A sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that help hold your ankle bones together. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments are forced beyond their normal range of motion. Ligaments help stabilize joints, preventing excessive movement.
What is the difference between a sprained ankle and a broken ankle (ankle fracture)?
A sprained ankle is when the ligaments in your ankle are torn. A broken ankle or ankle fracture is when one or more of the bones in your ankle break. Severe sprains and fractures have similar symptoms (pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness) and are both caused by twisting or rotating your ankle, tripping or falling, or trauma to your ankle. Sprains heal faster, but it can take up to six weeks for a broken ankle to heal.
Signs and symptoms of a sprained ankle vary depending on the severity of the injury. They may include:
Pain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot
Tenderness when you touch the ankle
Swelling
Bruising
Restricted range of motion
Instability in the ankle
Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury
Anyone, at any age, can sprain their ankle. Sprains are most common in athletes during sporting events but can happen during everyday activities as well.
What causes a Sprained Ankle?
Rolling or twisting the ankle causes ankle sprains. The most common ankle sprains are the result of: falling or tripping on uneven surfaces, landing incorrectly after a jump, losing balance, and getting injured while playing sports such as basketball, football, soccer, or tennis.
In order to reduce the risk of getting ankle sprain, you can maintain good muscle strength by exercising regularly, warm up and stretch before exercise and physical activity, pay attention to uneven surfaces where you’re walking or running, and slow down or stop if you feel tired during activities or exercise.
When to see Dr. Leonard Knudson, DPM, Culver City's Foot and Ankle Specialist
Call Dr. Leonard Knudson at 310-876-1579 and request for an appointment if you have pain and swelling in your ankle. If you suspect you have a sprain, you may discuss it with us whether you should have it evaluated. If signs and symptoms are severe, you may have significant damage to a ligament or a broken bone in your ankle or lower leg.
CULVER CITY FOOT DOCTOR SINCE 1982 HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL CULVER CITY
Our services and treatments includes; Arch Disorders, Arch and Heel Pain, Ankle Pain, Ankle Therapy, Arthritis, Bunions, Calluses, Custom Orthotics, Diabetic Foot Treatments, Feet Pain, Foot Injury, Hammertoes, Heel Pain, Ingrown Toenails and more. View Full Service by clicking here.
The Associated Foot Care Clinic of Dr. Leonard J Knudson is located at 9808 Venice Blvd. Suite 600 in Culver City, California 90232. We are open from Mondays to Fridays, 9:00am to 5:00pm and we are closed during the weekends.
Dr. J. Leonard Knudson is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Culver City and near West Los Angeles. We also tend to patients from nearby - UCLA, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica and the West Los Angeles area.
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310-876-1579
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Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm