Ankle sprains are caused by an unnatural twisting or force on the ankle bones of the foot, which may result in excessive stretching or tearing of one or more ligaments on the outside of the ankle.
The severity of the sprain can impact the degree of damage as well as the type and duration of treatment. If not properly treated, ankle sprains may develop into long-term problems.
Primary symptoms of ankle sprains are the following:
Pain following a twist or injury
Swelling around the foot and ankle
Buising of the foot and ankle area
To treat ankle sprains at home, use the following methods:
Rest and elevate the ankle
Apply ice to reduce swelling
Use compressive bandages to immobilize and support the injury
Serious ankle sprains, particularly among competitive athletes, may require surgery to repair and tighten the damaged ligaments.
You can prevent ankle sprains by: