Ankle Sprain Specialist in Midtown Manhattan NYC

What is a Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are common injuries that typically result when the ankle or foot is rolled to one side under your leg. An ankle sprain is when the ligaments surrounding your ankle are pulled or torn. Ankle sprains vary in severity, resulting in anything from a ligament being painfully stretched to more severe instances such as a ligament tear, cartilage damage, or even a broken or chipped ankle bone or damaged tendons.

This is why a New York City podiatrist needs to evaluate every ankle sprain and develop a treatment plan for your unique injury. All symptoms should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by your podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to exclude any underlying serious condition.

Ankle Sprain Symptoms

Twisting or spraining your ankle most commonly results when your foot rolls inward under the body. The ankle usually becomes painful and Swollen in the first 24 hours after the injury, and the pain is often localized on the outside of your ankle. Note the location and any movement that provokes pain so you can report these details to your podiatrist in NYC.  The more specific the history of the injury and your symptoms are, the easier it is for your foot doctor to make a proper diagnosis.

Other symptoms associated with a sprained ankle may include:

• Bruising around the ankle
• Increased pain when you stand on that foot
• Limited or reduced range of motion

Diagnostic Tools

Your NYC ankle sprain doctor sees many sprained ankles and will be able to diagnose your injury. Your NYC podiatric specialist will probably manipulate your ankle to evaluate your pain and range of motion.

Your podiatric specialist may order additional tests such as:

• X-ray: Your NYC foot doctor will typically take an x-ray to determine the extent of your injury.
• CT scan: This is a multi-dimensional X-ray that can enable your doctor to examine your entire foot and ankle from a number of different angles and more closely evaluate injuries to the area.
• Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI: An MRI can help your foot doctor or podiatrist evaluate soft tissue damage from your injury.  For example, an MRI can show whether you have any damage to the cartilage and ligaments in your foot and ankle.

Ankle Sprain Treatment NYC

Ankle sprains can be complicated to treat and sometimes debilitating. Therefore your injury should always be evaluated by an ankle sprain specialist. Once our NYC foot doctor has diagnosed your condition, you may receive a walking boot to immobilize the area. In some cases, surgery is necessary to repair a ligament, cartilage, or tendon that has been torn.

Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (R.I.C.E. therapy) will be a component of your treatment for almost any ankle injury.

• Rest: For the first 48 to 72 hours, you need to give your ankle time to heal by staying off of it and resting.
• Ice: Ice should be applied for about 20 minutes every 3 hours or so. Use an icepack or wrap crushed ice in a towel. Let your doctor know if you have diabetes or vascular disease before using ice because it could cause complications.
• Compression: An ACE bandage wrapped snugly around your ankle aids in its healing. Start wrapping from the end of your foot up to your ankle, and don’t wrap so tight that it cuts off circulation.
• Elevation: Swelling is reduced if you elevate your ankle above heart level. This is beneficial because fluids are drawn away from the ankle, and therefore inflammation is reduced.

Important Reminder: This information is only intended to provide guidance, not definitive medical advice. Please consult your ankle sprain doctor about your specific condition. Only a trained, experienced board-certified podiatrist or foot specialist can determine an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Do you have any questions about Ankle Sprain and its treatment in NYC? Would you like to schedule an appointment with an internationally recognized, top NYC Podiatrists and foot doctor at Manhattan Foot Specialists?  Please contact our office for a consultation.