Ankle sprains are a common occurrence in sports. Approximately 45% of all sports injuries are related to the ankle. And those injuries are not limited to professional athletes. Every day, 28,000 people in the United States report ankle injuries for medical attention. While ankle pain from twisting, turning, or rolling can be short-lived and cause minor discomfort with swelling, an unaddressed ankle sprain can lead to chronic instability.

Why You Should Not Ignore an Ankle Sprain.

Untreated ankle injuries can develop chronic tendon inflammation, degenerative or arthritic conditions, and continuous instability. Because it may not completely heal and feel like the ankle is constantly giving out, it may cause a re-injury.

You can spot a mismanaged ankle sprain by decreased balance, laxness in the ankle ligaments, and limited dorsiflexion range of motion. These symptoms appear after an ankle sprain and will fail to go away when a sprain is not treated completely.

What Should You Do if Your Ankle Sprain Is Not Improving?

Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation, (aka, R-I-C-E method) usually heals most ankle sprains within two to 12 weeks. If, with standard care, the sprain persists beyond that time frame, the injury could be more complicated than you thought.

Ankle injury pain or weakness that goes beyond 12 weeks usually involves a fractured bone, torn ligament, or bruised tendon that would require intervention to heal properly. An untreated injury of this scale can cause permanent disability.

What are the Long-term Effects of Ankle Instability?

Chronic instability can lead to limited movement and exercise, tendon damage, and arthritis. Furthermore, chronic instability and repetitive stress can cause early-onset osteoarthritis, causing life-long pain and impairment. Also, experiencing pain due to motion can quickly become the reason behind a more sedentary lifestyle and the host of health risks accompanying it.

Surgery to Correct Untreated Ankle Instability.

Surgical intervention is generally not required for the typical sprain. If an ankle sprain has worsened to the point that it requires joint stabilization and restoration of the ligaments, then surgery becomes inevitable.

If you feel you have unstable ankles that give way, we’re here to help. At Clark Podiatry Center, Dr. Brandon A. Macy, a board-certified podiatrist, treats numerous conditions such as heel pain, diabetic wounds, bunions, nerve pain, and more. The New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute is also part of Clark Podiatry Center. We provide exceptional service for patients in Union County. Contact our office at (732) 382-3470 or schedule an appointment online. Our office is at 1114 Raritan Road, Clark, NJ 07066.