Can a sprained ankle lead to serious foot and ankle problems?

Yes it can.

Ankle sprain may lead to serious conditions such as:

• Joint swelling and pain – caused when ligaments don’t heal properly
• Repeat sprains – damage to tendons that lead to chronic ankle instability
• Chronic ankle instability – repeated giving way of the outer side of the ankle
• Arthritis – resulting in further ankle pain and stiffness
• Undiagnosed fractures – some ankle fractures present the same symptoms as sprains and can lead to bones not healing properly, arthritis or other ankle deformities

Sprained ankles are very common injuries for people of all ages and activity levels. Approximately two million ankle sprains are reported every year in the United States. “Sprains can result from a fall, a sudden twist or a blow that forces the ankle joint out of its normal position. Because ankle sprain and ankle fracture present with similar symptoms, it’s important to get an accurate and early diagnosis if you suspect you’ve sprained an ankle,” said SSM Health board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Patrick Scerpella.

A member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Patrick Scerpella treats all types of foot injuries and disorders, including: strains, sprains, diabetic foot problems, stress fractures and fractures with healing complications. He also provides foot and ankle reconstruction and arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery).

How serious is a sprained ankle?

“Some ankle sprains are worse than others. The severity of the sprain and pain you feel depends on how many ligaments are involved and whether they are stretched, partially torn or completely torn,” said Scerpella. “Mild sprains may cause only mild pain and swelling while severe sprains can lead to significant pain, instability and difficulty walking.

“The ankle joint is made up of three bones which are connected by strong bands of tissue called ligaments. Ligaments provide stability by limiting side-to-side movement. When you sprain an ankle, you’ve either torn or stretched one or more of those ligaments beyond their natural limits.”

Symptoms of sprained ankle include:

• Swelling and bruising
• Pain
• Mild heat and redness
• Loss of movement and strength around the ankle and foot
• Difficulty walking or going up or down stairs
• Tingling, numbness or a feeling of pins and needles in the ankle area

What can happen if you don’t treat a sprained ankle?

What can happen if you don’t treat a sprained ankle? Without proper diagnosis and treatment, ankle sprain can lead to more serious conditions. “Patients can experience longer term joint swelling and pain caused by ligaments that don’t heal properly, putting them at greater risk for repeated sprains which can damage tendons and lead to conditions of chronic ankle instability, posttraumatic arthritis or other ankle deformities,” Scerpella said.

What is chronic ankle instability?

After repeated ankle sprains, a person can develop a condition known as chronic ankle instability which means the outer side of the ankle feels wobbly and repeatedly gives way while walking or doing other activities – even when standing, according to Scerpella.

“People with chronic ankle instability often complain of a repeated turning of their ankle especially on uneven surfaces or when participating in sports,” Scerpella said. “They experience persistent discomfort and swelling, pain or tenderness and feel that their ankle is unstable.

“Chronic ankle instability usually develops after an ankle sprain that has not adequately healed or wasn’t completely rehabilitated. This can lead to repeated sprains. Each subsequent sprain further weakens or stretches the ligaments, resulting in greater instability and the likelihood of developing additional ankle problems.” In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair or reconstruct damaged ligaments.

How do you treat an ankle sprain?

“We will examine your foot and ankle, get a thorough history of your symptoms and may order x-rays to help determine the severity of your injury,” Scerpella said. “Treatment for ankle sprain includes limiting activities that put weight on the injured ankle, applying ice packs, wrapping the ankle with a compression bandage to help reduce swelling and provide support and elevating your ankle above your heart.

“Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen sodium also can help to manage the pain of a sprained ankle. We also will start you on some prescribed physical therapy exercises as soon as possible to promote healing and increase your range of motion.”

Depending on the severity of the ankle sprain, you may need to use an elastic bandage, sports tape or an ankle support brace to stabilize the injured ankle. With severe sprain, you may need a cast or walking boot to immobilize the ankle while it heals. The most severe cases may require surgery to repair damaged ligaments.

“We will examine your foot and ankle, get a thorough history of your symptoms and may order x-rays to help determine the severity of your injury,” Scerpella said. “Treatment for ankle sprain includes limiting activities that put weight on the injured ankle, applying ice packs, wrapping the ankle with a compression bandage to help reduce swelling and provide support and elevating your ankle above your heart.

“Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen sodium also can help to manage the pain of a sprained ankle. We also will start you on some prescribed physical therapy exercises as soon as possible to promote healing and increase your range of motion.”

Depending on the severity of the ankle sprain, you may need to use an elastic bandage, sports tape or an ankle support brace to stabilize the injured ankle. With severe sprain, you may need a cast or walking boot to immobilize the ankle while it heals. The most severe cases may require surgery to repair damaged ligaments.

Treat ankle sprain with the RICE method:

How do you wrap an ankle properly?

Whether you're dealing with a sprain, strain, or general ankle pain, this simple technique can help you recover faster and return to your daily activities.