Ankle sprains

What it feels like

A sprain is a stretch or tear in the ligaments that hold your ankle bones together. It most often happens when the foot rolls inward.

After a sprain you may have:

• Pain on the outside of the ankle, or sometimes the inside.
• Swelling and bruising that can spread down into the foot.
• Pain when you walk or put weight on the foot.
• An ankle that feels stiff, weak, or wobbly.

When a sprain might be a break

A bad sprain and a broken bone can look and feel alike. Get urgent care the same day at an urgent care or emergency room if:

• You cannot put any weight on the foot, or cannot take a few steps.
• The ankle or foot looks bent or out of place.
• The swelling is severe, or keeps getting worse fast.
• The foot is numb, cold, or turning pale or blue.

If you are not sure, call us at (541) 385-7129 and tell us what happened.

Common causes

Anyone can sprain an ankle. It often happens:

• On uneven ground, like trails, rocks, or snow and ice.
• In sports with jumping and quick turns, like basketball, soccer, or volleyball.
• Stepping off a curb or missing a stair.
• In shoes that do not support your ankle well, or in high heels.
• After an earlier sprain that did not fully heal. A weak ankle is easier to roll again.

What you can try at home

For a mild sprain where you can still walk, these steps can help in the first few days:

• Rest. Stay off it as much as you can. Use crutches if walking hurts.
• Ice. A cold pack wrapped in a thin towel for a few minutes at a time can ease swelling.
• Wrap it. An elastic wrap can help with swelling. Keep it snug, not tight. Loosen it if your toes tingle or turn cold.
• Raise it. Prop your ankle up above your heart when you sit or lie down.
• Wear supportive shoes. Skip flip-flops and heels while it heals.

If you take an over-the-counter pain reliever, follow the label. Check with your doctor first if you have other health conditions or take other medicines.

When to see us

Make an appointment if:

• You can walk, but the pain or swelling is not getting better after a few days.
• The ankle still feels weak or gives way weeks later.
• You keep spraining the same ankle.
• You want a plan to get back to sports or work safely.
• You have diabetes or poor circulation. Do not wait on a foot or ankle injury. Learn about diabetic foot care.

Signs of a possible break need urgent care. See when a sprain might be a break.

How we treat it

Most sprains heal without surgery. Your doctor will check how bad the sprain is and build a plan to help it heal. Your plan may include:

• A brace, wrap, or walking boot to protect the ankle for a while.
• Exercises to bring back motion, strength, and balance.
• A step-by-step plan to return to walking, work, and sports.
• Advice on shoes and bracing to help keep it from happening again.

If your ankle keeps rolling, or a sprain does not heal the way it should, your doctor will look for other problems and talk with you about next steps.

What a visit looks like

1. We listen. Your doctor asks how you hurt it and how it has felt since.
2. We examine your ankle. We check swelling, tender spots, motion, and how steady the ankle feels.
3. We look closer if needed. Your doctor may order an X-ray to check for a broken bone.
4. You leave with a plan. You will know how to protect the ankle and when to start moving it more.

Wear loose pants or shorts so your doctor can see your ankle easily.

New here? Read what to expect at your first visit and fill out your new patient forms ahead of time.

Questions people ask

This page is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own feet, talk with your doctor.