How do I know what type of ankle injury I have?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org


How do you tell what kind of ankle injury do I have?

3 Grades of Ankle Sprains
  1. Grade 1: Your ankle will probably feel sore and may be slightly swollen. In this case, the ligament has been overstretched but not torn.
  2. Grade 2: You have a partial tear in the ligament. This causes prolonged pain and swelling. ...
  3. Grade 3: This is a full tear of the ankle ligament.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


How do I know if my ankle sprain is grade 1 or 2?

Grade 1: Stretching or slight tearing of the ligament with mild tenderness, swelling and stiffness. The ankle feels stable and it is usually possible to walk with minimal pain. Grade 2: A more severe sprain, but incomplete tear with moderate pain, swelling and bruising.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on rush.edu


How do I know how serious my ankle injury is?

People with a more severe ankle sprain — characterized by extreme bruising or swelling and an inability to bear weight on the foot without significant pain, or when there doesn't seem to be any improvement over the first several days after the injury — should seek medical attention, Drs. SooHoo and Williams say.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uclahealth.org


How do I know if I have damaged my ankle ligaments?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on simonmoyes.com


Ankle Sprain Evaluation with Paul Marquis PT



How do I know if I tore a tendon in my ankle?

What are the symptoms of a torn tendon?
  1. A sudden, severe pain during activity or injury.
  2. Hearing and/or feeling a popping or snapping sound at the time of injury.
  3. Feeling that you've been struck in the back of the calf.
  4. Swelling and bruising on the inside of your heel or the back of the leg below the calf.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on allcarefootdoc.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pennmedicine.org


Can you walk on a fractured ankle?

Many people assume that if you can put weight on the ankle then it isn't broken, however, it is possible to walk on a broken ankle, particularly with a less severe fracture. If you're concerned your ankle may be broken, we recommend contacting your doctor, who can conduct an examination or order and xray if necessary.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on alexandriaradiology.com


Is it OK to walk on a sprained ankle?

Do not walk on a sprained ankle. The inflamed tissue needs time to heal, and walking on it too soon may cause more damage. Ankle sprains are common musculoskeletal injuries that can occur from playing sports or from everyday activities.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on emedicinehealth.com


What is a Level 2 ankle sprain?

A Grade 2 sprain is considered to be moderate and is characterized by some, but not all, of the ligament fibers being torn. The affected ankle and foot are often painful and moderately bruised or swollen, but the stability of the ankle joint is generally not affected.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on woodfoothealth.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on emergeortho.com


What will happen if an ankle sprain is not treated?

If an ankle sprain is left untreated, it may lead to a chronically unstable ankle joint and, from there, to degenerative and arthritic changes in the ankle, as well as chronic tendon inflammation. It may also feel as if the ankle is constantly trying to give out, which can, from there, cause a re-injury of the ankle.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on adventisthealth.org


Can you hear a pop with a Grade 2 ankle sprain?

A severe sprain causes actual tearing of the elastic fibers. When a sprain occurs, you may fall or be unable to stand on that foot. You may even hear a “pop.” Pain and swelling will occur.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.uconn.edu


How do you know if its a sprain or a fracture?

A sprain may occur silently, or in severe cases there may be a popping sound. With a fracture, you might hear a crack. Is your ankle misshapen? While swelling is a symptom of both injuries, if your ankle looks clearly “off,” it's most likely because a bone is broken.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


What is an ankle sprain vs strain?

The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org


Did I break my ankle or sprain it?

Sprains are painful, but fractures are often accompanied by numbness or tingling. Where are you experiencing pain? If your ankle hurts or is tender to the touch directly over the ankle bone, you probably have a fracture. By contrast, if the pain is in the soft part of the ankle, it's more likely a sprain.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on starkvilleurgentcareclinic.com


How do I know if my foot injury is serious?

Go to the emergency room if:
  1. there's an open wound on your foot.
  2. pus is coming out of your foot.
  3. you can't walk or put weight on your foot.
  4. you experience severe bleeding.
  5. there are broken bones coming through your skin.
  6. you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
  7. you think your foot could be infected.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthcare.utah.edu


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com


Should a sprained ankle be wrapped?

Proper initial care of your sprained ankle is critical. A compression wrap helps decrease swelling. If swelling is kept to a minimum, it may help your ankle feel better. Applying a compression wrap is easy and can be done at home.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on myhealth.alberta.ca


Can you wiggle your toes with a broken ankle?

Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. The reason this is not true is because the nerves and muscles that allow the movement of the ankle have not been affected by the fracture.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on casteelfootandanklecenter.com


Can you break a bone in your ankle and not know it?

Can I really break my ankle and not know it? It may sound strange, but the answer is a resounding, Yes! While it seems like a broken bone is something you should be able to detect, the truth is that other ankle injuries share similar symptoms.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on footanklecenters.com


Can you move your toes with a sprained ankle?

As you can see, the symptoms for a sprained ankle are like those of a broken ankle, but don't include the inability to move the toes or deformities.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on suffolkfootandankle.com


How painful is a torn ligament in the ankle?

What Are the Symptoms of a Torn Ligament in an Ankle? You can feel sudden pain, and a tearing, snapping or popping sensation – which might be so bad you can't put weight on your foot – and swelling around your ankle joint. In some cases, there may bruising that extends down your foot and up your calf.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on simonmoyes.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on emeraldcoasturgentcare.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on footandanklegroup.com
Previous question
What is white vinegar made from?