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 “low” ones, knows that the pain can be unbearable, putting the entire limb out of commission for several days. Therefore, people often wonder if high ankle sprains go away on their own without medical intervention.
The answer to this question is, unfortunately, no. High ankle sprains tend to be pretty severe and can take a long time to heal. 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 professional best suited to treat high ankle sprains is a physiotherapist or a chiropractor. These professionals can provide you with a personalized treatment plan that will help speed up your recovery and minimize pain. The treatment plan may include physiotherapy exercises, ankle braces, or even surgery, depending on the severity of the sprain.
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. 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!
