You just twisted your ankle, and now you’re wondering if you need to see a doctor or if it’ll heal on its own.
The answer depends on the severity of your injury. Very minor sprains can respond well to home treatment, but certain symptoms mean you need professional evaluation. Knowing the difference helps prevent chronic instability and months of unnecessary pain.
At Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates in Mission Viejo, California, we help South Orange County residents determine when an ankle injury needs professional care and when home treatment will do the job.
An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments connecting your ankle bones stretch too far or tear. These tough bands of tissue keep your ankle stable, but sudden twisting motions push them beyond their normal range.
The ligaments on the outside of your ankle are more likely to sustain an injury because they’re relatively weak compared to the inside ligaments. When you roll your ankle inward (which happens most often), these outer ligaments take the brunt of the damage.
Sprains happen in three grades:
The grade of your sprain determines how you should treat it and how long recovery takes.
Minor ankle sprains often heal well with basic home care. You can likely skip an immediate visit to our office if:
For these minor sprains, start with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Take a break from activities that stress the ankle, ice it for 15-20 minutes several times throughout the day, wrap it with an elastic bandage, and keep your foot elevated above heart level when you’re sitting or lying down.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen can help with pain and swelling. Most mild sprains improve within 3-7 days, but if yours doesn’t, schedule an appointment with our experienced team to make sure your injury isn’t worse than you thought.
Some ankle injuries need professional evaluation, even if they don’t seem that bad at first. Schedule an appointment with Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates if you experience:
These symptoms might indicate a severe sprain, fracture, or damage to surrounding structures like tendons. Ignoring them leads to chronic instability, ongoing pain, and increased risk of re-injury.
When you come to our office with an ankle sprain, we assess your range of motion, check for tenderness in specific areas, and evaluate the stability of your ankle joint.
X-rays help us rule out fractures. If we suspect soft tissue damage beyond the ligaments, we might recommend additional imaging. These diagnostic tools give us a clear picture of exactly what’s injured and how severe the damage is.
For moderate-to-severe sprains, we might recommend:
Walking boots or braces keep your ankle stable during the healing process. Unlike simple wraps, these devices prevent movements that could worsen the injury.
Targeted exercises restore strength, flexibility, and balance. Physical therapy also retrains the nerves that help you sense your ankle’s position, reducing the risk of future sprains.
Prescription anti-inflammatories might be necessary for severe swelling and pain that doesn’t respond to OTC options.
Most sprains heal without surgery, but complete ligament tears or chronic instability sometimes need surgical repair.
You don’t have to guess whether your ankle sprain needs professional attention. Our team at Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates can evaluate your injury, determine the severity, and create a treatment plan that gets you back on your feet safely.
Call our Mission Viejo office at 949-364-2525, or use our online booking tool to schedule your appointment.
