Sprains
An ankle sprain is an injury of one or more ligaments.
The twisting or rolling of the ankle is a common cause.
If the ankle joint becomes dislocated in addition to a bone break, the ankle may appear deformed.
Alexandra Gordon / Verywell
Bone Bruises
An anklebone bruiseoccurs from a less severe injury to the bone than a fracture.
Ankle bone bruises may occur on their own or along with an ankle sprain.
They are often severely painful and cause swelling, similar to that of a fracture.
Other conditions require additional imaging tests and/or blood tests.
Think through these details before your appointment:
Physical Examination
Your healthcare provider will examine your ankle.
To start, they will check for swelling, bruising, or deformity.
They will compare your ankle joint movement’s looseness (laxity) to the uninjured ankle.
Increased laxity or pain when turning the ankle inward suggests a potential lateral ankle ligament sprain.
Increased laxity or pain when turning the ankle outward suggests a potential medial ankle ligament sprain.
Squeeze Test
During this test, your healthcare provider will compress your lower leg bones at the mid-calf level.
If you feel pain above the ankle joint, this could indicate a high ankle sprain.
Blood Tests
If your healthcare provider suspects a particular diagnosis, they may order blood tests.
This protocol is a step you’ve got the option to take before seeing your healthcare provider.
RICE Protocol
TheRICE protocolis used to treat musculoskeletal injuries including ankle sprains and ankle tendonitis.
Prevention
Maintaining good muscle strength and flexibility in the ankle is key to preventing many ankle-related injuries.
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