Ankle Sprain
Symptoms
People usually feel immediate pain at the site of an ankle sprain. Often the ankle starts to swell immediately and may develop bruising
. The affected area is usually tender to touch and may feel "wobbly" or unstable.
In a mild sprain, swelling usually goes down within a few days.
The severity of your symptoms usually depends on how much tearing has occurred. In more severe sprains, you are often not able to walk or even put weight on your foot, and your ankle may feel unstable. You usually have extreme pain at first, but some people start to feel better fairly soon. You may also hear and/or feel a tearing sensation and a pop or a snap.
If a sprain does not heal correctly, your ankle joint may become prone to reinjury. This often occurs with even a slight trauma, such as stepping off a curb or walking on uneven pavement. Some people complain of persistent pain and swelling.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Amy Fackler, MA | Last Updated: March 30, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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