Should a sprained ankle keep swelling?
When the sprain is received, the ankle should begin to swell almost immediately, and bruising should follow soon after. A grade 2 sprained ankle causes moderate pain, swelling of the joint, and some joint instability.
How long should swelling last on a sprained ankle?
The pain and swelling of an ankle sprain most often gets better within 48 hours. After that, you can begin to put weight back on your injured foot. Put only as much weight on your foot as is comfortable at first.
Why does my sprained ankle keep swelling?
Peroneal tendon damage With repeated sprains, the peroneal tendons can develop small longitudinal rents or tears. When this happens, the tendons swell up in the sheathes that surround them and cause achy pains, chronic swelling and weakness that cannot be corrected by exercise.
What can you do for a swollen ankle?
Treatment
- Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
- Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you’re awake.
- Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.
- Elevation.
How long should a swelling last?
After you suffer an injury, swelling usually worsens over the first two to four days. It can then last for as long as three months as the body attempts to heal itself. If the swelling lasts longer than this, your physical therapist or doctor may need to take a closer look to determine the cause of the delayed healing.
How to tell if your ankle is swollen or not?
Ankle Pain But No Swelling 1 Ankle Pain in the Absence of Swelling. Though ankle pain is often associated with swelling of the surrounding tissues, there have been instances in which an ankle injury does not 2 Causes. 3 Ankle Sprain With No Swelling. 4 Swollen Ankle But No Pain. …
What causes a sprained ankle to swell and hurt?
A sprained ankle is a common injury seen by doctors. It is the result of stretched or even torn ligaments of your ankle. The severity of the injury depends on the extent of damage and the number of injured ligaments. Your sprained ankle usually will swell and hurt following the injury.
Are there any complications after an ankle sprain?
Complications After an Ankle Sprain 1 Prolonged Pain. Even severe sprains should be healed and pain-free after 8 weeks, so if pain persists (with inflammation) there is likelihood of an undiagnosed fracture, cartilage tear, or ruptured 2 Persistent Swelling. 3 Stiffness. 4 Instability. 5 Nerve Dysfunction. …
What happens to the nerves after an ankle sprain?
Nerve injuries may occur with either a significant twisting of an ankle sprain, and/or chronic swelling of the ankle leading to pressure on the cutaneous nerves surrounding the ankle. Symptoms include: Muscle weakness often causes re-injury due to reduced coordination.
How do you treat a swollen sprained ankle?
Sprained ankles should be compressed with an elastic bandage. Elevation is one of the best remedies for a sprained ankle. X-rays can be used to determine if a patient has an ankle fracture or sprain. Applying ice can help reduce ankle swelling.
Why is sprained ankle still swollen after 2 weeks?
Whenever there is irritation within the joint, the synovium secrets excess fluid. A sprained ankle still swollen after 2 weeks indicates that irritation is still present. Outward swelling is a result of swollen soft tissue and the increased fluid within the joint itself.
The fluid buildup around ankle sprains that leads to swelling is caused by internal bleeding around the damaged tissues. The body often responds to the irritation of injury by releasing more fluid into the area from surrounding tissues.
What are the symptoms of a sprained ankle?
A sprained ankle is an injury to the ligaments of the ankle. In a sprain, the ligaments supporting the ankle joint become partially or completely torn. Signs and symptoms of a sprained ankle include pain, swelling, and tenderness of the ankle.