The ankle is a complex joint with multiple bones, ligaments and tendons. Injuries to this joint can occur when you step or land on the side of the foot. This abnormal movement can stress the ligaments or break the small bones in the area. Inversion injuries, which occur when the foot rolls inward away from the joint, are the most common cause of sprains. Eversions occur when the foot rolls outward. Both inversion and eversion injuries can happen when you trip, slip, fall, jump, walk or run and tend to be more common in people who play sports or participate in high impact activities. Because the same type of movement can cause both a sprain and a break, it can be difficult to determine if you need to seek medical attention or can take a wait-and-see approach.
Sprains
The joint may be sprained if you have mild or no swelling, tenderness, discomfort, mild to moderate pain and can put weight on it immediately both after the incident and several hours later. Different grades of sprains range from I to III depending on how severe the damage to the ligament is. It may be hard to walk, so rest until it no longer hurts to put weight on it. Ice the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time every few hours for the first two to four days, and try to elevate it. NSAIDs can be used to ease inflammation and discomfort, and elastic wraps can help combat swelling, stabilize the joint and protect the area from further damage as you begin to put weight on it again.
Breaks
Walking may be impossible or extremely difficult after the initial trip or fall, and there can be significant pain. The area may be quite swollen and bruised. If the joint is unstable, has a visible deformity or the bone can be seen, immediate medical evaluation is necessary. If you believe that the area is possibly broken or there is no improvement after a day or two, visit your doctor. An X-ray may be needed to determine the extent and severity of the break. Treatment can include immobilization with a splint or cast for minor fractures, but more severe fractures may require surgical intervention.
After any kind of ankle injury, healing can take at least six weeks, and injuries to tendons and ligaments may take even longer. You may need physical therapy and rehabilitation to ease pain and stiffness and regain a normal range of motion. If you are assigned at-home exercises, it is important that you do it correctly to preserve your future ability.