Ankle Sprain: Causes And Treatment

What Is An Ankle Sprain?

An ankle sprain is a common injury that occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle bones become overly stretched or torn. This happens when a sudden rolling or twisting motion of the foot causes the joint to be displaced – usually a result of a fall or a sports injury.

Depending on the severity of the ankle cartilage injury, the ankle sprain treatment will vary. For mild sprains, sufficient rest and at-home care may suffice. However, ankle sprains are best assessed by a medical professional to ensure that appropriate treatment is given and no underlying injuries are left undetected.

What Are The Causes Of Ankle Sprains?

Ankle sprains can happen to anyone, and commonly result from activities such as:
  • Walking or stepping on an uneven surface
  • Falling on the ankle
  • Landing awkwardly after jumping
  • Suddenly turning or pivoting
  • Another person stepping on one’s foot while one is running
  • Wearing inappropriate footwear
In all cases of ankle sprains, particularly one where the pain and swelling seems persistent, medical attention by an ankle doctor in Singapore should be sought. Delaying sprained ankle treatment for moderate to serious sprains may result in complications and worsening discomfort. Over time, this may cause recurring sprains and injuries, ankle joint instability, chronic tendon inflammation, cartilage damage and even irreversible joint arthritis.

What Are The Treatments Of Ankle Sprains?

Apart from a physical examination, the ankle surgeon in Singapore will arrange for imaging tests such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI to determine the details and extent of the injury.

Treatment for ankle sprains will depend on the severity of the injury, and will always start from the most conservative option possible first. Options include:

Self-Care Remedies

For mild cases, home treatments are recommended to facilitate the sprain’s natural healing. The most common way to address sprains at home is through the RICE method:

  • Rest – To prevent worsening the sprain, it is best to rest the ankle by avoiding physically strenuous activities and protecting the area using a brace or splint.
  • Ice – Applying an ice pack or cold compress on the ankle for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours helps reduce redness and swelling.
  • Compression – Wrapping the ankle with an elastic bandage or wearing compression sleeves can help reduce swelling and promote better blood flow for healing.
  • Elevation – Elevating the ankle above the level of the heart can also reduce swelling and drain excess fluid.

Medications, Physiotherapy and Mobility Aids

For mild to moderate cases, medications may be prescribed as ankle pain treatment. Crutches can also be used to reduce load on the foot. Physiotherapy helps strengthen the ankle and restore its mobility as well.

Ankle Surgery

For severe cases where the sprained ankle is not responding to conservative treatments, or the damage is deemed serious, surgery may be advised. Surgical treatments usually involve:

  • Arthroscopy, which is a keyhole procedure that involves assessing the ankle joint with a tiny lens, removing inflammed or damaged tissue, while also treating cartilage injury at the same time.
  • Reconstruction, which involves either repairing the torn ligament, or using ligaments from other parts of the body to repair or replace the damaged ankle ligament. At The Bone & Joint Centre (BJC), we do our ligament repair via an innovative breakthrough “keyhole” method (ArthroBrostrum repair) which is less painful, has less wound complications and leads to quicker recovery compared to the open traditional method.

If you have sustained an ankle injury, consult an orthopaedic specialist for a detailed assessment so that the most appropriate and effective treatment can be tailored for you.

Our Ankle Surgeon in Singapore
Dr Kevin Koo Oon Thien
Director and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
MBBS (S’pore), DFD (CAW), MRCS (Edin), MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Orth), FAMS

Dr Kevin Koo is an experienced ankle surgeon with over 20 years of experience treating ankle sprains. Dr Koo completed a fellowship at St. Mary's and Charing Cross Hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare in London, UK, where he worked with internationally recognised orthopaedic surgeons and treated professional athletes and dancers.

Dr Koo's dedication to the field is evident in his numerous accolades and his former role as Director of Foot and Ankle Service at Singapore General Hospital. He also actively contributes to advancements in foot and ankle surgery through his published research in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals.

Our experienced ankle doctor in Singapore is skilled in treating all degrees of ankle sprains effectively. Seek ankle sprain treatment promptly to regain your mobility as soon as possible.
For more information, please call 9898 7781 or click here to send us an email
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