An ankle sprain is considered as a common injury especially among those who engage in sports. Always bear in mind that an ankle sprain can progress to lasting effects such as continuous ankle pain, stiffness, weakness and swelling. The potential side effects are likely to develop once the initial injury was not properly treated.
Potential outcomes for an untreated ankle sprain
Continuous pain
Pain that is persistent is the usual lasting effect of an ankle sprain. The pain can be linked to additional injury that occurs within the ankle sprain such as damage to the tendons that support the muscles to the ankle bones.
An ankle sprain can also cause damage that instigates the degeneration of the padding in between the bones in the joint. Over time, the bones can rub against each other which results to arthritic pain. In most cases, the pain can be managed with heat or cold therapy and anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Crepitus and weakness
Crepitus is described as a grating sensation or sound that occurs from the damaged ligaments. Always bear in mind that crepitus is a lasting effect of an ankle sprain. This can also occur during movement of the ankle or only when the joint is swollen.
Weakness can also occur after an ankle sprain. The damage to the muscle or tendon from the ankle sprain can also lead to weakness. It can also develop when the individual is currently healing from a sprain and unable to utilize the ankle normally. Strengthening exercises are usually needed to deal with the weakness.
Joint instability
The ligaments that hold the bones together helps make the joint stable. An ankle sprain stretches the ligaments, thus reducing the stability in the ankle. There is a sensation that the joint will give away while standing on it.
Instability of the joint is another usual effect of an ankle sprain. The instability can lead to re-injury of the ankle joint. The instability can be managed with bracing and strengthening of the muscles surrounding the joint. In case the conservative measures are not effective, surgery might be needed to repair the damaged ligaments.
Stiffness and swelling
The stiffness and swelling can also occur after an ankle sprain. Always bear in mind that the swelling can result to stiffness since it limits ankle mobility. These symptoms can make it hard to walk and maintain balance. The swelling can be managed by raising the affected leg or wrapping the ankle using an elastic bandage. The range of motion exercises are also needed to improve mobility of the joint to minimize the stiffness.
Considerations to bear in mind
A sprain can be managed early and correctly to reduce the risks for the lasting effects. It is vital to seek treatment if an ankle sprain is suspected even if it is a minor one.
Always seek treatment as soon as possible if the individual could not move the joint or bear weight on the affected leg. This might indicate an additional injury such as a fracture. If the individual had a sprain in the past and experiences ongoing issues, a doctor should further assess the exact cause of the symptoms as well as the appropriate treatment.