Sprained Ankle: When to See a Doctor

Ryan Brennan • September 20, 2022

We’ve all sprained our ankle before and we all know the feeling – it’s not one we enjoy, nor is it something we look forward to. An ankle injury will ruin your day – as well as your week – in a heartbeat, often resulting in changed plans, boredom, missed work or school, and of course, unwanted pain.

A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments are stretched beyond their typical range of motion – usually by rolling, twisting, or turning the ankle. Some of the most common causes are falls, awkward landings, walking on uneven surfaces, and cutting or jumping during a sports activity.

Aside from the excruciating pain felt when putting weight on the affected ankle, the most common symptoms of a sprained ankle are swelling, bruising, tenderness, instability, and restricted mobility. Another good indicator is hearing a ‘popping’ sound at the time of injury.

How Severe is the Ankle Sprain?

Before you panic, it’s important to determine the severity of the ankle sprain. Depending on how severe it is, you may or may not need to visit a doctor. Doctors generally categorize ankle sprains into one of three grades, which is determined by the amount of force and damage.

Let’s take a closer look at the three grades for ankle sprains:

Grade 1 - also known as a mild ankle sprain, a Grade 1 sprain is characterized by slight stretching and small tearing of the ligaments, resulting in minor swelling and tenderness.
Grade 2 - also known as a moderate ankle sprain, a Grade 2 sprain is characterized by a partial tear of the ligaments, resulting in pain when trying to move the ankle.
Grade 3 - also known as a severe ankle sprain, a Grade 3 sprain is characterized by a complete tear of the ligaments, resulting in high levels of pain and swelling.

Some of the most common risk factors of an ankle sprain are poor athletic conditioning, muscle and/or ligament fatigue, failure to warm up before or cool down after exercise, carrying excess weight, inappropriate footwear, and having a prior history with ankle sprains or foot injuries.

Treating a Minor Ankle Sprain at Home

For those that suffer a minor or low-level ankle sprain, medical treatment can usually be accomplished at home. Even with a high-level ankle sprain, it’s best to begin treatment right away, at least until a doctor can look at it. Don’t worry, treating ankle sprains at home is easy and non-invasive.

The best method for treating an ankle sprain at home is with the R.I.C.E. method – let’s take a closer look:

Rest - time is one of your best friends when dealing with an ankle sprain. Try to limit movement and focus on resting for the first two days of the injury.
Ice - your other best friend when dealing with an ankle sprain is ice. For the first two days after the injury, ice the affected area for 15-20 minutes every three or four hours.
Compression - in order to prevent swelling of the ankle, wrap the affected area with an ACE bandage or any other elastic medical bandage. Make it snug, but not too tight.
Elevation - when resting, raise the injured ankle above the heart (for example, use pillows when laying down on the sofa or bed). This limits swelling, pain, and throbbing.

Not treating an ankle sprain properly or returning to strenuous activity too soon after injury can result in unwanted consequences – including chronic ankle pain, chronic instability of the joints in the ankle, and arthritis of the ankle joint. To prevent the worst case scenario, see a doctor.

Sprained Ankle: When to See a Doctor

In general, any ‘Grade 3’ or severe sprain will require immediate medical attention from a doctor to ensure there’s no further damage to the ankle. A ‘Grade 2’ or moderate sprains can likely be treated at home, but you should see a doctor if it doesn’t start to heal after a few days.

As for a ‘Grade 1’ or minor ankle sprain, most ankle sprains heal with the R.I.C.E. method. For those that wish to see a doctor, it’s best to start with your family physician – though they might refer you to an orthopedic physician or a podiatrist, if they need further evaluation.

When diagnosing sprained ankles, your doctor will examine the affected area – mainly checking for tenderness and measuring range of motion. If they need to take a deeper look at the ankle, they might order an X-ray, an MRI, a CT scan, or an ultrasound – all of which are non-invasive.

How to Prevent Spraining Your Ankle

Ankle sprains are some of the most common sports injuries in the United States, with more than two million acute ankle sprains being reported annually in the country. It affects nearly 2.15 per 1,000 persons in the US and nearly 40% of all ankle sprains lead to chronic pain.

Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent tips for preventing an ankle sprain:

Always warm up and cool down before exercising
Make sure you’re wearing proper shoes when exercising
If your shoes are torn or worn down, get a new pair
Avoid uneven surfaces whenever possible
Do exercises that strengthen the ankle and foot
Utilize ankle tape to improve structure

In the event you sprain your ankle and need to seek medical treatment, consider writing down a detailed description of your symptoms, any information regarding past ankle injuries, and the various supplements or medications you take – that way, you don’t forget to tell your doctor.

Are You Worried About Your Sprained Ankle?

Have you recently sprained your ankle? Are you finding it difficult to bear weight on the ankle? Have you tried the R.I.C.E. method for several days without progress? Do you want a second opinion from a proven professional? If so, then Good Samaritan LV is here to help.

Dr. Shaun Jang, MD and his wonderful team are pleased to offer quality healthcare services to the Las Vegas community. Whether you’re dealing with a minor, moderate, or severe ankle sprain, we make sure our patients get the treatment and care they so desperately need.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with your Dr. Shaun Jang, MD, feel free to contact our office today. Of course, we also accept same-day appointments – we understand that ankle sprains can happen at any moment and we want to make sure we’re there for you when it does!

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