Ankle Sprains Should Not Be Ignored

Ankle sprains happen all the time and most people think if they just put ice on it and elevate the leg it will eventually go away. But many doctors have found this practice can lead to more severe injuries and caution patients not to let a simple ankle sprain develop into something more serious.

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Dr. Jeffrey Niccoli at Alameda Family Podiatry Group has been studying, tending to, and creating more effective ways of treating obscure foot injuries for during his long and accomplished career in medicine.

One thing he typically sees in his patients is the lack of attention paid to what has come to be known as an ankle sprain.

It’s distressing to a doctor when a potential patient or an injured individual doesn’t go properly about treating their injury, and this typically occurs frequently in the case of ankle or foot sprains. The foot is an intricate and detailed structure, with many connecting small bones joined by even smaller tendons and ligaments. In the instance of even a slight sprain, an tear may not reveal itself until months after the injury takes place, when it’s far too late to treat it properly.

“A preemptive approach to a potential ailment is always the best course of action, especially in the instance of physical injury,” says Dr. Niccoli. “When you’re looking at a severely sprained ankle, and the swelling is so bad that you can’t effectively see damage via an MRI, chances are that the injury is much more than just a sprain.”

In the event that you’ve recently experienced this type of injury, see a doctor immediately. A foot injury doctor, like a podiatric specialist such as Dr. Niccoli, has the best chance at healing more complex, more obscure injuries like the one that could come as a result of a sprain.

With that, a sports injury doctor will also be able to effectively evaluate the prognosis and course of recovery methods, for the purpose of getting the injured athlete back out onto the field within as little time as possible.

As far as foot injury recovery goes in the event of a sprain, rest the foot as much as possible. Sit whenever you can, and keep as much weight off of the foot as possible. Elevate your foot to the level of your chest when optional, place a pillow under your heel to prevent pressure sores and gently wrap the area.

Apply covered ice to the top of your foot and under and around your ankle – 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off – for the first 48 hours. Ice constricts blood vessels and helps to reduce swelling and pain. It can also serve to soothe pain to a degree. If you are medically able aspirin or acetaminophen may be indicated.

After 48-72 hours, apply warm compresses to the foot. Heat dilates blood vessels and provides increased circulation to the injured body part, which will be vital to proper healing in recovery. Walk with the support of an arm, cane or crutches for the first week.

Your sprained foot should be wrapped in an elastic bandage when walking to provide additional support. At this point, your foot should feel better and have a more rosy hue. Make sure the sprained foot does not look gray, bluish or increased swelling, a sign of poor circulation and perhaps a greater injury. Seek medical help if unsure.

For more information, or to seek the services of Dr. Jeffrey Niccoli, visit his website at DrNiccoli.com.