If you’ve hurt your ankle and need individualised ankle sprain treatment, North West Physio can help.
Ankle sprains can happen to each and every one of us, and can occur playing sport or simply walking across uneven ground.
With ankle sprains, the ankle ligaments are either torn or stretched too far, and if you’ve ever had one, you’d know they can be incredibly painful and debilitating.
Keep reading our blog below as we discuss the different grades of ankle sprains, treatment options and recovery time.
Or if you’ve hurt your ankle and need assistance from one of our trusted Brisbane physiotherapists, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team for an appointment.
Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain
Typically, ankle sprains occur when the foot rolls inwards.
This can happen when the foot is on top of a ball, jumping and landing at an awkward angle, or landing on an uneven surface.
Ankle sprains usually present with immediate:
- Oedema (fluid retention/swelling),
- Bruising, and
- Pain.
The severity of the above symptoms can vary significantly depending on the seriousness of the sprain.
Grades of Ankle Sprain
There are 3 degrees of an ankle sprain:
Ankle Sprain Grade 1
- Grade I sprain is a slight sprain where there is slight stretching or slight tearing of the ligaments.
Ankle Sprain Grade 2
- Grade II sprain is a moderate sprain where the ligament is partially torn but still intact.
Ankle Sprain Grade 3
- Grade III sprain is a severe sprain where the ligament has been torn from the bone.
Ankle Sprain Treatment
The standard rest, ice, compression, elevation does work well as an immediate treatment.
A severe sprain may be placed in a moon boot for rest. Crutches may be needed if you are having difficulty with walking.
Strapping the ankle can be very helpful to give the ankle support while healing.
Long term, an ankle brace may be used to protect the ankle from reinjury when participating in sports.
How Physio Helps A Sprained Ankle
Physiotherapy can help to accelerate the healing period, so you can return to full function faster.
When the ankle is feeling better, strength and balance exercises are given to strengthen the ankle.
Balance exercises progress over time: walking on level surfaces, ramps/hills, uneven ground, trampoline and wobble boards.
Sports related drills like jogging, running, hopping, change in direction can be added as tolerated.
Ankle Sprain Recovery Time
Recovery time is dependent on the severity of the ankle sprain and for a grade 1 sprain recovery could be as little as a couple of weeks.
For a grade 3 sprain, recovery could take several months.
Ankle Sprain Treatment
When you need a professional to treat your ankle sprain, you can rely on the team at North West Physio.
Make a booking online or call one of our Brisbane clinics today.
North West Physiotherapy is your one-stop pain relief and healthy living practice in Brisbane. With six clinics across North Brisbane; Everton Park, Keperra, Eatons Hill, Nundah, Lutchwyche and Newmarket, our aim is to provide holistic healthcare solution to suit your specific lifestyle.
Our services include Physiotherapy, Sports Physio, Hydrotherapy, Pilates, Podiatry, Dry Needling, Massage, Womens Health, and Seniors Strength and Balance Classes. Please note that services vary across our clinics.
Contact your local clinic to book an appointment.
