(866) 552-4866 With the fall school semester back in session, the excitement for Friday night lights, a Saturday morning volleyball tournament, and the first cross-country meet of the school year naturally intensifies. Students at all grade levels are bursting at the seams to get back on the field, court, or track—so eager that they may be willing to play through almost anything. That includes an ankle sprain. Sure, routine sprains happen all the time, especially after a simple misstep, awkward landing, or sudden change of direction. But how do you know if the ankle sprain symptoms that follow are nothing more than a minor issue or something more serious? While it is true that many ankle sprains may not keep an athlete from taking time away from the game, these are not injuries to be overlooked.
Roughly 23,000 ankle injuries occur every day, ranging from minor rolled ankles to severe fractures, overuse strains, etc. What usually responds with ice and rest could become so painful and swollen that they can't even get their shoe back on. By the time they get home, everyone begins to wonder whether they waited too long to see a doctor. Fortunately, there are signs that your ankle sprain may be more serious—and why seeking prompt medical care with the right podiatrist can make all the difference in the world.
Request an appointment for your ankle sprain with a StrideCare podiatrist today. Our expansive network ensures you receive the support you need from a qualified foot doctor near you.
How Do I Know if An Ankle Sprain Is Severe?
This is an important question to answer because it's so easy to downplay ankle injuries. Let's be honest—everyone does it. For every star soccer player or cross-country star who fights through a sprain, there are just as many weekend warriors, hikers, runners, and active adults who convince themselves that "walking it off" works. While that may be true for a mild sprain, severe ankle sprains left untreated will only worsen and cause long-term issues.
Here's why: your ankle does significantly more to keep you upright and on your feet than you might think. Your ankle joins your foot to your lower leg while at the same time supporting your body weight, facilitating movement through seamless bending and flexion upward toward your body (dorsiflexion) and down and away from your body (plantar flexion), and keeping you stable and balanced. That's a lot of heavy lifting for a joint that's made up of just three bones (tibia, fibula, and talus). These bones are then held together by a complex network of ligaments, muscles, cartilage, nerves, and blood vessels.
Ankle sprains are defined as any injury where the foot twists or rolls inward during physical activity, causing the ligaments that stabilize the ankle joint to become stretched or torn. Their severity is broken down into three grades.
- Grade 1: Mild stretching of the ligament with minimal swelling and tenderness.
- Grade 2: Partial tear with moderate pain, swelling, bruising, and some instability.
- Grade 3: Complete ligament tear that often causes severe pain initially, significant swelling, bruising, and joint instability.
Any ankle sprain above Grade 1 is considered severe and will require immediate medical care. That said, it isn't always easy to tell where your unique ankle sprain falls on this scale. Here are some warning signs to keep an eye on.
7 Ways To Know If Your Ankle Sprain Is More Serious Than You Think
Any time an athlete rolls their ankle or lands awkwardly, there is bound to be some level of localized pain, swelling, and bruising immediately after the injury. As a result, you may have trouble walking at first. There will also be a limited range of motion, and the injury site may be tender to the touch.
These are mostly standard ankle sprain symptoms. That said, it's important to be mindful of these additional pain cues:
- You can't put any weight on your foot — The inability to put any weight on your ankle, especially if it's been a few hours since the injury occurred, is a sign that you may have a more significant ligament injury or even a fracture.
- The pain isn't getting better — Many ankle sprains will gradually begin to feel better within hours or days after the initial injury. That doesn't mean you are out of the woods; in fact, chronic swelling and pain could still linger for six months or longer. It is generally a strong indicator that you may have avoided a more serious injury. Conversely, if the pain remains intense and doesn't respond to rest, ice, and over-the-counter medications, you will most certainly need a more thorough evaluation.
- The swelling is immediate and severe — Again, some swelling is expected after an ankle sprain. However, rapid swelling within a minute or two after the injury may suggest something much worse.
- You see rapid, large-scale bruising — In addition to rapid swelling, dark purple and black bruising that spreads across the foot and toes is a sign that your ankle sprain may be more serious than you initially thought.
- Your ankle feels unstable — If you hear clicking and popping sounds and feel as if your ankle will "give out" each time you try to stand and walk, you should see a doctor immediately. This level of instability is common with a Grade 3 ankle sprain, though further tests could also show a fracture.
- You heard or felt a pop — To piggyback on the previous tip, most athletes who have suffered severe ankle sprain or fracture describe hearing or feeling a pop at the moment they were injured. It is an unmistakable sound, and while it doesn't always mean the ligament is completely torn, it should be evaluated.
- You feel numbness and tingling — Any loss of sensation in the ankle, feet, and toes could indicate a fracture as well as nerve or blood vessel damage. If blood flow is poor, healing could be delayed.
Consulting a foot doctor after an ankle sprain can get you back on the field. If you want to discuss your treatment options, please schedule an appointment with StrideCare's expert podiatric physicians.
If your foot or ankle injury shows any of these symptoms, a professional evaluation at StrideCare can confirm whether a fracture is present and guide the next steps in treatment. The foot and ankle are two of the most sensitive and injury-prone areas of the body. When something goes wrong with any part of this structure, it can cause a ripple effect of discomfort. This is especially true for athletes, who rely on their feet and ankles to run, jump, kick, and maintain balance. Find a doctor on our team now to learn more and get a personalized treatment plan today.
A proper diagnosis allows your physician to determine the severity of the injury and recommend the safest treatment plan, which may include protective bracing, activity modification, physical therapy, strengthening and balance exercises, and a gradual return-to-play program.
StrideCare Is Here to Keep Local Athletes on the Field
Many people often treat our ankle pain as if it does not exist. This is especially true with athletes who want nothing more than to keep playing their favorite sport. As a result, they fight through it, decline to visit a doctor or podiatrist, and genuinely believe it will go away on its own. The reality is that ignoring any ankle sprain can lead to more pronounced and painful symptoms. It can also make treatment and recovery that much more difficult. Sometimes, your ankle pain can be treated with good old-fashioned rest and light stretching. However, if you do experience persistent ankle pain, give StrideCare a call.
With over 50 StrideCare clinic locations, finding an experienced, qualified podiatrist near you is easier than ever. A consultation with one of our podiatrists can determine the type, severity, and location of your foot pain issues.
Our podiatry team at StrideCare is committed to providing you with the most comprehensive foot care—including conservative and surgical treatment options. This is equally true for significant foot conditions all the way down to the tiniest of toes. Healthy, pain-free feet make all the difference in our lives, and it is our job to ensure you stay on your feet today, tomorrow, and moving forward.
Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation. At StrideCare, we are here to help, all while providing compassionate patient care.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
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