Whether you’re an active athlete or a bustling urbanite, you’re likely to experience an ankle sprain at some point in your life. They’re quite common, quite painful, and come in a few different varieties, which means that the team at Syracuse Podiatry deals with them fairly often.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that sprains are simple. Far from it! Although it might be tempting to “walk it off” and ignore the problem, that’s the last thing you want to do. Ignoring sprains and putting pressure on the affected area will only lead to unnecessary pain and discomfort. Before you hop on one foot and curse fate, let’s break down the different types of ankle sprains and how your trusty podiatrist can help you get back on track.

3 Types of Sprains Could Be Causing Your Pain

• Lateral Ankle Sprain: This MVP of sprains happens when the outer ankle ligaments stretch or tear due to rolling inwards. Look for swelling, tenderness, and difficulty putting weight on the foot.
• Medial Ankle Sprain: Less common but just as painful, this sprain involves the inner ankle ligaments and is often caused by the ankle rolling outwards. Similar symptoms to lateral sprains, but with an outward tilt of the foot.
• High Ankle Sprain: This affects your syndesmosis, the joint above the ankle. Expect significant swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight.

Podiatrists: Your Ankle Allies

Don’t go solo on this journey! Podiatrists can assist in numerous ways.

• Using advanced diagnostic tools, they craft personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific sprain type and severity, ensuring the fastest and most effective recovery possible.
• They have physical therapy expertise, guiding you through exercises to regain strength and flexibility while preventing future sprains.
• They offer post-recovery support by monitoring your progress, addressing any complications, and helping you return to your favorite activities safely.

Has one of the ankle sprains above taken you off your feet and out of the action? Contact us! Expert DPMs Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, Dr. Anne-Louise Smith, Dr. Justin Muser, and Dr. Nicholas Cronin are ready to answer your questions. Our team treats a wide variety of podiatric conditions, and we would be delighted to assist. We hope to see you soon!