Can a sprained ankle last forever?

"An ankle sprain that lingers beyond 3 months is often an injury to a bone, tendon or ligament that is unlikely to heal without intervention," he says. "And the longer an ankle injury persists without proper treatment, the greater the likelihood that permanent disability will result."

Will my ankle ever be the same after a sprain?

Proprioception has an especially important role in weight-bearing joints, such as the ankle. When you sprain an ankle, proprioceptors become damaged. This impairs the body's ability to right itself, and makes it more likely you will sprain that same ankle again.

What happens if a sprained ankle is left untreated?

If they're left untreated, sprains will often cause the ankle to become unstable, which can lead to chronic pain, swelling, instability and, ultimately, arthritis. Don't delay treatment. Sprains should be immobilized quickly, with the ankle ligaments in a stable position.

Whats the longest a sprained ankle can last?

Mild, low-grade ankle sprains will usually heal in one to three weeks with proper rest and non-surgical care( such as applying ice). Moderate injuries may take between three and four weeks. Because of limited blood flow to the ligaments of the ankle, more severe injuries may take between three and six months to heal.

What are the long term effects of a sprained ankle?

Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, a chronic or untreated severe sprain can weaken your ankle, making it more likely that you will injure it again. Repeated ankle sprains can lead to long-term problems, including chronic ankle pain, arthritis, and instability.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Ankle sprains 101

Can sprains be permanent?

These muscles are made to stretch, but if stretched too far, or if stretched while contracting, a strain injury may result. A strain or sprain injury can be permanent. They are commonly graded according to the extent of the injury.

Can an old ankle injury cause problems years later?

Many adults who sprained their ankles when they were younger could be at risk for more serious damage as they age and try to stay active. It's important to get your ankles checked for chronic instability caused by old injuries.

Why does my ankle still hurt after 6 months?

"An ankle sprain that lingers beyond 3 months is often an injury to a bone, tendon or ligament that is unlikely to heal without intervention," he says. "And the longer an ankle injury persists without proper treatment, the greater the likelihood that permanent disability will result."

Do ligaments ever fully heal?

As discussed earlier, ligament healing is slow and often incomplete. Joint laxity caused by ligament injury improves slowly over a period of six weeks to a year. However, at six weeks to one year after injury, a large percentage of patients still have objective mechanical laxity and subjective joint instability.

What is a grade 3 ankle sprain?

Grade 3: This is a complete tear of the affected ligament(s) with severe swelling and bruising. The ankle is unstable and walking is likely not possible because the ankle gives out and there is intense pain.

Can an old ankle injury cause swelling years later?

Old Ankle Sprains Can Come Back to Haunt You

Pain in your ankle or foot is not a normal part of the aging process, even if you're just now trying to get back into shape. Persistent or recurrent swelling is a common symptom a previously-injured athlete may experience.

How do I know if I have a torn ligament in my ankle?

If you have torn your ankle ligament, symptoms include: Swelling around your ankle joint. A feeling of instability. Bruising – sometimes up your lower leg and into your foot.

What does a torn tendon in ankle feel like?

When tendons become injured or torn, it can cause pain, swelling, weakness in the foot and ankle, and discomfort when standing, walking or playing sports.

Will my ankle ever heal?

With the right treatment plan such as rest, ice, elevation, and compression, mild ankle sprains usually can heal on their own within two to twelve weeks. Of course, it all depends on the severity of your ankle injury and the level of pain and instability you are experiencing.

How do you treat an old sprained ankle?

The first goal is to decrease pain and swelling and protect the ligaments from further injury. This usually means adopting the classic RICE regimen — rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If you have severe pain and swelling, rest your ankle as much as possible for the first 24–48 hours.

Can your ankle be permanently swollen?

It's normal for a sprained ankle to swell, sometimes for four to six weeks, or longer. But swelling that persists for more than three months may be a sign of trouble.

Does ligament damage show up on xray?

X-rays do NOT show tendons, ligaments, nerves, cartilage or blood vessels. X-rays typically show bones and joints, and may, at times, show the absence of skin (e.g. infection).

Are ligament injuries permanent?

Simply stated, damaged soft tissues, such as ligaments and tendons of all joints, never heal, they wound repair with permanent, relatively unstable tissue.

Can Xrays show torn ligaments?

Traditional X-rays don't view ligament damage and even more advanced scans like CTs and MRIs cannot visualize something as complex as ligament damage because they don't capture the ligament in motion but you don't have to suffer with ligament pain.

What is a chronic sprain?

Chronic ankle sprain, also referred to as chronic ankle instability, is a condition which involves the lateral (outer) side of the ankle 'giving way' on a recurring basis. The condition can develop after the occurrence of numerous ankle sprains.

How do I know if my ankle pain is serious?

When should I get an MRI on my ankle?

The doctor may order an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan if he or she suspects a very severe injury to the ligaments, injury to the joint surface, a small bone chip or other problem. The MRI can make sure the diagnosis is correct. The MRI may be ordered after the period of swelling and bruising resolves.

Can a sprained ankle turn into arthritis?

Unfortunately, it is indeed possible to develop arthritis in your ankle years after an ankle sprain—even if you did absolutely everything right in treatment and the injury fully healed.

Can sprains come back?

Both amateur and professional athletes often misunderstand how serious a sprain can be, and they rush back into action without taking time to rehabilitate the injury properly.

Can injuries become permanent?

Yes, soft tissue injuries may be permanent if you suffer a severe contusion on the muscles, tendons or ligaments. They may result in long-lasting effects that never properly heal. When soft tissue damage becomes catastrophic or permanent, a person's life may change forever if they underestimate their injuries.