Did I sprain my ankle or tear a ligament?

Mild sprain: The affected ligament is stretched, however, the joint is still stable. Moderate sprain: The ligament has been partially torn but has not completely separated from the bone. This causes the joint to be unstable. Severe sprain: The damaged ligament has been completely torn or separated from the bone.
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How do I know if I tore a ligament on my ankle?

If you have torn your ankle ligament, symptoms include:
  1. Swelling around your ankle joint.
  2. A feeling of instability.
  3. Bruising – sometimes up your lower leg and into your foot.
  4. Tenderness to touch.
  5. Pain when putting weight on your ankle.
  6. Popping sound at the time of injury.
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How can you tell the difference between a sprained ligament and a tear?

When a ligament has been sprained, it's still attached to the bone but has been damaged in some way. A ligament tear is more severe. When you're diagnosed with a torn ligament, it indicates that the ligament has either pulled away from the bone or torn completely in half.
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Is it a sprained ankle or a torn ligament?

A sprained ankle is the stretching or tearing of ankle ligaments, which support the joint by connecting bones to each other. A sprain occurs when your ankle is forced to move out of its normal position, which can cause one or more of the ankle's ligaments to stretch, partially tear or tear completely.
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Can you walk if you tear a ligament in your ankle?

The quick answer is yes, typically you can walk with a torn ligament or tendon in the foot. Walking may be painful but you can typically still walk. For example, the Posterior Tibialis Tendon runs down the back of the shin, behind the middle bump of the ankle (medial malleolus) and to the bottom of the foot.
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Ankle Pain, ankle ligaments sprain - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim



How do I know if my ankle pain is serious?

Seek immediate medical attention if you:
  1. Have severe pain or swelling.
  2. Have an open wound or severe deformity.
  3. Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or a fever greater than 100 F (37.8 C)
  4. Cannot put weight on your foot.
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How does a torn ligament feel?

A torn ligament can result in varying degrees of pain and discomfort, depending on the extent of the injury. It may produce heat, extensive inflammation, popping or cracking noises, severe pain, instability within the joint and an inability to put weight or pressure on the joint.
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Is walking good for torn ligaments?

The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line.
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Does a pop always mean a tear ankle?

A “pop” can indicate misalignment in an ankle, a knee, or a shoulder, without the presence of a fracture. Pain. Many people assume that overwhelming pain indicates a broken bone in the ankle. However, since some sprains can cause more pain than fractures do, pain level is an ineffective way to diagnose the injury.
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When should you get a sprained ankle checked?

When to see a doctor for a sprained ankle
  1. You have swelling that is tender to the touch.
  2. You have bruising around the ankle or foot.
  3. You have a restricted range of motion.
  4. You have pain and are unable to bear weight on the affected foot.
  5. You noticed a popping sensation or sound at the time of the injury.
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Did I pull or tear muscle?

In a mild strain, a torn muscle may feel slightly stiff, but still flexible enough for use. A severe muscle strain is when the muscle is severely torn. This results in pain and very limited movement. The symptoms of mild to moderate muscle strains usually go away within a few weeks.
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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.
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Does a torn ligament hurt all the time?

"A torn ligament is considered a severe sprain that will cause pain, inflammation, bruising and result in ankle instability, often making it difficult and painful to walk. Recovery from a torn ligament may take several weeks, and should be done under the supervision of a health care provider."
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Is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon?

A sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament. Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to bones at joints. A strain is also a stretch or tear, but it happens in a muscle or a tendon. Tendons link muscles to the bones.
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Can ankle ligament tear heal itself?

Nearly all isolated low ankle sprains can be treated without surgery. Even a complete ligament tear (Grade 3) will heal without surgical repair if it is immobilized and rehabilitated appropriately.
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What happens if a torn ligament in ankle goes untreated?

This is especially true in sprains that were not treated. 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.
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How do you know what grade your ankle is sprained?

What are the types of ankle sprains?
  1. Grade 1 (Mild). The ligament fibers stretched slightly or there is a very small tear. Your ankle will have minor swelling and tenderness to the touch.
  2. Grade 2 (Moderate). The ligament is torn, but it isn't a complete tear. ...
  3. Grade 3 (Severe). The ligament is torn completely.
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How long does a rolled ankle take to heal?

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.
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Why does my sprained ankle feel like it needs to crack?

A “popping” sound is very common to hear at the moment when you sprains your ankle. A “cracking” noise means it's most likely a fractured bone. Swelling can be normal for this type of injury, but if your ankle appears deformed or crooked at the same time, it's most likely a fracture. Numbness also indicates a fracture.
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How should you sleep with a sprained ankle?

Elevating a sprained ankle reduces the accumulation of fluid in the joint. This can ease swelling, which may also help reduce pain. Try sleeping with the foot and ankle propped up on pillows at a level higher than the heart. When sitting or resting, use pillows or a footrest to keep the foot and ankle elevated.
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Which is more severe sprain or strain?

Strain vs Sprain, which is worse? One is not technically worse than the other. Strains affect the tendons (an easy way to remember this is sTrains = tendons or muscles), and sprains affect the ligaments. Both tendons and ligaments are connective tissues, and both are measured by severity.
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Does ibuprofen slow tendon healing?

Our findings demonstrate that use of NSAIDs, specifically ibuprofen, in the immediate postoperative period may be detrimental to tendon healing, based on mechanical properties and scar tissue integrity, even several weeks after administration.
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How do I know if I tore a ligament in my foot?

5 Signs You May Have a Torn Ligament or Sprain in Your Foot
  1. Increased Pain with Physical Activity. A torn ligament typically comes from activity. ...
  2. Pain & Tenderness Near Arch. ...
  3. Arch of Foot Bruised. ...
  4. Swelling and Bruising at Injury Site. ...
  5. Inability to Bear Weight on the Injured Foot.
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Does a torn ligament hurt to touch?

A torn MCL (medial collateral ligament or tibial collateral ligament) may be painful to the touch.
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Does xray show torn ligaments?

X-rays. X-rays may be needed to rule out a bone fracture. However, X-rays don't show soft tissues, such as ligaments and tendons.
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