Ankle Sprain

A sprained ankle is the most common type of ankle injury. An ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments (the tough elastic tissue that connects bones to one another) in the ankle. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones at the joint. This is a common foot / ankle condition that can be easily treated by Board Certified Podiatric Surgeon David P. Rosenzweig, DPM, PC, at either his Rye Brook (Westchester County) or Greenwich, Connecticut office. Ankle sprains may be graded I, II, or III depending on their severity.

Grade I:    ankle pain with minimal damage to the ligaments
Grade II:   ankle pain + more ligament damage and looseness of the joint
Grade III: severe ankle pain + complete tearing of the ligament, and the joint is very loose or unstable

The severity of the sprained ankle depends on the degree of stretching or tearing of the ligaments in the ankle. In a mild ankle sprain, the ligaments may stretch, but they do not tear. The ankle usually does not hurt or swell very much, but a mild sprain increases the risk of a repeat injury. In a moderate sprain, a ligament tears to a small degree. Obvious swelling and bruising are common, and walking is usually painful and difficult. In a severe sprained ankle, a ligament tears completely, causing swelling and sometimes bleeding under the skin. As a result, the ankle is unstable and unable to bear weight.

The signs of an ankle sprain can include:

pain or tenderness
swelling
bruising
inability to walk or bear weight on the joint
stiffness

How does Doctor Rosenzweig diagnosis an ankle sprain?
Doctor Rosenzweig can diagnosis an ankle sprain at either his  Rye Brook (Westchester County), New York or Greenwich, Connecticut office.  He will usually be able to tell if you have a sprain by asking you some questions about how the injury occurred and by examining your ankle. The foot  doctor may also want to take an x-ray of your ankle to make sure that it's not fractured or broken.

To make an appointment with David P. Rosenzweig, Board Certified in Podiatric Surgery to discuss your ankle sprain at either his Rye Brook (Westchester County), New York or Greenwich, Connecticut office please feel free to phone either office or contact us.