High ankle sprains can be very painful and can be caused by a sudden twisting, turning, or rolling of the ankle. This type of injury is different from the more commonly occurring “low” ankle sprain and requires professional treatment. Almost everyone who has had an ankle sprain — even the milder ones — knows that the pain can be unbearable, often putting the entire limb out of commission for several days. Many of these injuries occur because of sudden force or awkward movement during sports or daily activities, which are common triggers of high ankle sprains that can make the injury particularly difficult to manage without care.
The answer to this question is, unfortunately, no. High ankle sprains tend to be pretty severe and can take a long time to heal. Recovery usually progresses through different high ankle sprain stages, each requiring specific care and rehabilitation to ensure proper ligament repair and joint stability. The reason for this is that high ankle sprains involve damage to the ligaments between the two bones in the lower leg, where the lower leg bones come together with the ankle bones. Such damage disrupts the body’s natural function, making it difficult for the body to heal without professional intervention.
The medical professionals best suited to treat high ankle sprains are physiotherapists and chiropractors. These specialists can create a personalized treatment plan that supports healing, reduces pain, and restores mobility. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may include targeted physiotherapy exercises, ankle bracing, or even surgical intervention. Many of the best ways to treat high ankle sprains combine active rehabilitation with hands-on care to improve function while preventing re-injury.
One common treatment method utilized by physiotherapists is the RICE technique, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This technique can help reduce swelling and inflammation while providing the ankle with the needed support to speed up the recovery process. The physiotherapist may also take you through a series of exercises that will help stretch and strengthen the affected areas.
While you may be tempted to self-treat your high ankle sprain with pain relievers from the pharmacy or over-the-counter remedies, this is not advisable. Pain relievers will only mask the pain, and over-the-counter remedies often don’t work, and if they do, they only address the symptoms without targeting the underlying problem. Therefore, it’s best to seek professional medical attention.
In conclusion, high ankle sprains are severe injuries and require professional medical attention. While some individuals may believe that high ankle sprains go away on their own, this is not the case, and high ankle sprains can be difficult to heal. With the help of a physiotherapist, chiropractor, and the utilization of personalized treatment plans and techniques, healing from a high ankle sprain can become a more comfortable and faster process. Therefore, if you’ve recently suffered a high ankle sprain, it’s best to seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid potential complications. Remember, a quick and correct response to an injury will lead to a better and faster recovery.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Nitin Nair, BPT, R/TRO DIP, PT, or another Kitchener physiotherapist in Kitchener or Waterloo at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
To get a clearer sense of what recovery looks like and how therapy supports healing, visit our High Ankle Sprain page.
