Ankle Sprain

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

An ankle sprain happens when one or more ligaments in your ankle joint stretch or tear. The ankle joint is where your lower leg bones and the bones in your foot meet. A ligament is strong elastic tissue that connects one bone to another.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• You may have an allergic response to the medicines used to treat your ankle sprain. Painful scar tissue may form in your ankle, and you may need surgery to remove it. Surgery to repair your ankle sprain may damage the nerves, tissues, and blood vessels in your ankle. After surgery you may get an infection. Your ankle may feel stiff and you may get arthritis, which causes joint pain and swelling. Even after treatment, your ankle may be weak, and you may have problems walking.
  
  
• You may get a blood clot in your leg. This can cause pain and swelling, and it can stop blood from flowing where it needs to go in your body. The blood clot may break loose and travel to your lungs or brain. A blood clot in your lungs can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. A blood clot in your brain can cause a stroke. These problems can be life-threatening.
  
  
• Without treatment, your pain, weakness, and stiffness may get worse. You may have a higher risk of arthritis in your ankle. The soft tissue in your ankle may become trapped between bone and the injured ligament. This may increase your pain and further decrease your ankle movement. Your ankle may become very weak, and you may feel that it gives out on you when you walk. Ankle weakness may increase your risk for other injuries and cause bone and soft tissue damage in your ankle. Severe swelling inside your ankle and leg may damage your nerves, muscles, and blood vessels.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Medicines:

• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to decrease or take away pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine.
  
  
• Tetanus shot: You may need a tetanus shot if you have breaks in your skin from your injury. A tetanus shot is a shot of medicine to prevent you from getting tetanus. The shot is normally given into your arm. You should have a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the past 5 to 10 years. Your arm can get red, swollen, and sore after getting this shot.

Treatment options:

The goal of treatment is to decrease your pain and swelling, and protect your ankle so it can heal. You may need any of the following:

• Ankle supports: A brace, cast, or splint may be put on your ankle for support, and to decrease its movement. Braces, casts, and splints may help decrease pain, and prevent further damage to your ankle. Your caregiver may give you crutches to help you walk. Crutches will help you keep your weight off your ankle. Ask your caregiver for more information about braces, splints, casts, and how to use crutches.
  
  
• Physical therapy: You may need to go to physical therapy. A physical therapist shows you exercises to strengthen your ankle, and improve your balance. These exercises may also help to decrease your pain.
  
  
• Surgery: You may need surgery if your ankle sprain does not heal with other treatments. Surgery may be done to repair or replace a torn ligament. Your caregiver may use screws to attach the bones in your ankle together. The screws may help support your ankle and make it stable. Ask your caregiver for more information about surgery to treat your ankle sprain.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Ankle Sprain (Inpatient Care)