Did you know that sprained ankles are the number one injury concerning the ankle joint? When you have a sprained ankle, whether you’re an athlete or not, it’s tough to be “out of commission” and in pain while your sprained ankle heals. A sprained ankle, or lateral sprained ankle, can often force sufferers to refrain from physical activity from four to eight weeks, depending on the severity of the damage done.

But don’t worry: FootSmart is here to help with products that can help both treat and prevent a sprained ankle.

Definition: What is a Sprained Ankle?

A sprained ankle is a stretching to a partial or complete tear of the ankle ligaments on the outside of the foot. A sprained ankle is usually the result of a fall or injury that turns the ankle the wrong way.

What Causes a Sprained Ankle?

Many different factors and conditions can lead to a sprained ankle. But if you understand what can cause a sprained ankle, you can seek treatment or avoid certain situations before injuring yourself.

Here is a list of the leading causes of a sprained ankle:

Acute trauma or injury to the ankle can cause a sprained ankle.
People with a high arch or supinated foot type (feet turn inward) are more susceptible to developing a sprained ankle.
Those who have a neuromuscular disorder that may cause involuntarily ankle movement may lead to a sprained ankle.
Weak peroneal muscles (the muscles of the ankle joint) can cause a sprained ankle.
Ligamentous laxity, or "looseness of the ligaments" – a condition characterized by the softening of the ligaments holding the bones together – may lead to a sprained ankle.
People with leg length discrepancy, when one leg is longer than the other, could easily develop a sprained ankle.
Those with a history of sprained ankles are more susceptible to spraining their ankle again. (A sprained ankle weakens the ankle muscles.) People who over supinate, or roll to the outside of their ankles, are at particular risk for continues cases of sprained ankles.

How Severe is Your Sprained Ankle Injury?

Not every sprained ankle results in the same amount of damage. Doctors classify a sprained ankle in the following way:

Grade 1 Sprained Ankle: The sprained ankle led to a mild or minimal sprain with no tearing.
Grade 2 Sprained Ankle: Moderate sprained ankle with incomplete or partial tear of the ligaments with marked swelling, eccymosis (black and blueness), pain and difficulty walking.
Grade 3 Sprained Ankle: The sprained ankle injury resulted in a complete tear or rupture of the ligaments with swelling, internal bleeding, ankle instability and inability to walk.

Improper initial treatment of an acute sprained ankle often leads to poor healing and chronic lateral ankle instability, where the ankle constantly "gives way" on irregular terrain and even on flat surfaces.

Getting Help for Your Sprained Ankle

How you treat a sprained ankle depends on how serious the injury.

Grade 1 Sprained Ankle

The Podiatry Institute recommends that people who have a Grade 1 sprained ankle follow the RICE treatment system:

Over-the-counter oral anti-inflammatory medications can also help relieve pain from a Grade 1 sprained ankle.

Once the sprained ankle heals, consider the following to help make sure you don’t come down with a sprained ankle again:

Continue to wrap or tape the ankle, or apply an ankle support for all activity, to help avoid a sprained ankle. FootSmart sells a variety of good ankle braces, stabilizers and more for a sprained ankle. Click here for the full selection of sprained ankle supports.
Stretch thoroughly before and after athletic activity to help prevent a sprained ankle.
Strengthen the peroneal muscles to make sure you don’t get another sprained ankle.
Use lateral heel wedges to prevent the ankle from rolling out to ensure you don’t come down with another sprained ankle.
Wear good, supportive shoes, and consider high-topped shoes for athletic activities, to help prevent a sprained ankle or other injury.

Grade 2 and Grade 3 Sprained Ankles

Treatment of Grade 2 and 3 sprained ankles should be reserved for a podiatrist or other trained health care personnel. Severe injury requires x-rays to evaluate the possibility of bony involvement as well, so it’s important to seek treatment for your sprained ankle right away.

Information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions like a sprained ankle provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on muscoskeletal health.