How Long Does It Take For A Sprained Ankle To Heal?
Ankle sprains and painful and frustrating injuries can put you out of physical activity for an extended period of time. Depending on the severity of the injury, your recovery time to fully heal may differ. A podiatrist Bethpage NY should be consulted if you are experiencing pain, swelling, or discomfort in your ankle after an injury.
What Causes a Sprained Ankle?
Numerous things can cause ankle sprains. When the ankle is forced out of its natural position, it results in stretched or torn ligaments. A sprained ankle can be caused by:
- Falling and twisting the ankle
- Walking on an uneven surface
- Landing on the foot in a bad way
- Wearing shoes that don’t fit
Ankle sprains can happen to anyone at any time. It’s important to follow proper precautions when playing sports and doing physical activity to prevent injuring the ankles. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in your ankle, a podiatrist Bethpage NY can identify the problem and set up a recovery plan.
Types of Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain occurs when you roll, twist, or turn your ankle in some awkward way, resulting in a stretching or tearing of the tissue (ligaments) that help hold your ankle bones together. Those ligaments work to stabilize joints and prevent excessive movement, twisting, and turning. When an ankle is sprained, the ligaments are forced beyond their normal range of motion.
There are a number of different types of ankle sprains and recovery times associated with them. Each different injury requires specific treatment and healing processes to fully recover.
A first degree, or grade 1, an ankle sprain is more mild. This involves a tear of the ligament that results in milk swelling and discomfort. With a healing time of 3 to 5 weeks, a first degree sprain of the ankle has a quick recovery and minimal pain.
A second degree, or grade 2, ankle sprain usually involves a more intense tear. With about 50% of the ligament tearing, those suffering from a second degree ankle sprain suffer from more swelling and pain and end up with less mobility. This moderate type of sprain takes about 4 to 6 weeks to heal. With this severity of this injury, it’s important to see a podiatrist Bethpage NY to properly care for the sprain.
A third degree, or grade 3, ankle sprain is severe. This is a complete tear that will take about 3 to 6 months to heal.
Seeing a Podiatrist
If a sprained ankle is not properly treated and cared for, the injury can become worse. A podiatrist Bethpage NY can identify your sprain and recommend ways to heal the injury. Cherrywood Foot Care exists to treat all of your podiatry conditions. Contact us today, and schedule an appointment with a podiatrist Bethpage NY to start treating your ankle.