When to Seek Professional Care for an Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains happen all the time. As you walk, run, jump, and more, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your ankles have to continuously work to keep you stable. Sometimes, they just can’t keep up. 

So whether you rolled your ankle walking off a curb, playing a sport, or doing something else, you need to give those tendons, ligaments, and muscles time to recover. In some cases, simply staying off the ankle is enough. In others, you might need medical attention.

If your ankle is causing you severe pain or doesn’t seem to be improving, don’t hesitate to visit Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist in Homer Glen and New Lenox, Illinois. Our team of ankle sprain specialists can evaluate your injury and determine the best treatment plan to get you back on your feet as soon as possible. 

When to see a doctor

A lot of ankle sprains heal on their own. The trick is staying off the ankle to allow it the time it needs to heal. 

For the first few days after your sprain, try to keep weight off the ankle as much as possible. Get crutches or modify your lifestyle so you’re not worsening the irritation in the area. 

Rest is the biggest part of letting your ankle heal, but it’s just one component of the RICE at-home care plan we recommend. The full protocol includes:

• Rest

• Icing the area for about 20 minutes every few hours

• Compressing the area with something like an elastic bandage
• Elevating your ankle above your heart as much as possible

Follow the RICE method for the first 72 hours after your sprain. At that point, try putting a little weight on the ankle. If three days of care hasn’t improved it, come see our team. 

When professional care makes a difference

Not all ankle sprains are created equal. While a mild sprain can fully heal in a few weeks, more serious sprains can take up to six months to heal — and that’s assuming you’re properly caring for the injury. 

Here at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, Drs. Thakrar and Vittori evaluate your ankle. After we determine the severity of your sprain, we tailor your care plan appropriately. That might mean:

• Immobilizing the ankle with a brace
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Cortisone shots for pain and inflammation management
• Lifestyle modifications
• Footwear changes

Plus, properly caring for your sprain now can help to prevent future sprains. If you want to get back on your feet faster and avoid chronic ankle instability, call Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist or schedule an appointment online today.