What happens if a torn ligament in ankle goes untreated?

Don't ignore it.

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.

Can you still walk with a torn ligament in your ankle?

Can You Walk with a Torn Ligament in Your Ankle? Yes, you can usually walk with a torn ligament thanks to the other ligaments and supporting structures, but you may feel a lot of pain and a sensation of weakness and instability as you walk.

Is ankle ligament tear serious?

Ankle ligaments are bands of tissue that connect the foot bones with the lower leg bones. Injuries to the ankle ligaments are very common and can range from mild to severe. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have a bad ankle injury or repeat ankle sprains.

Can a torn ligament in ankle 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.

How long does it take for a torn ligament in the ankle to heal?

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.

Ankle Sprains Can Become Serious If Left Untreated

When do you need ankle ligament surgery?

You might need this surgery if one or more of the ligaments on the outside of your ankle has loosened or stretched. This leads to a condition called chronic ankle instability. It can cause chronic pain, repeated ankle sprains, and an ankle that often gives way when you walk or perform activities.

Do you need surgery for a torn ligament in your foot?

The most severe injuries to the ligaments of the foot involve cases where the ligaments are completely torn or detached from the bones of the feet. For these grade III sprains, foot surgery may be the only suitable treatment.

How serious is a ligament tear?

Ligament damage often happens from a sports injury. A torn ligament severely limits knee movement. This results in the inability to pivot, turn, or twist the leg. Surgery is a choice to repair a torn ligament if other medical treatment is not effective.

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.

How can you tell if you tore a ligament in your ankle?

“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.

Do you need crutches for a torn ligament in ankle?

You may need to use crutches until you can walk without pain. If you do use crutches, try to bear some weight on your injured ankle if you can do so without pain. This helps the ankle heal. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.

What is the most common torn ligament in the ankle?

The most common and significant ligament tears include tears in the Anterior TaloFibular Ligament (ATFL), CalcaneoFibular Ligament (CFL), and the large Deltoid ligament complex.

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.

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.

What does it feel like when you tear a tendon in your ankle?

The symptoms of an ankle tendon rupture include: A “popping” sound at the time of injury. Immediate ankle pain and swelling. A feeling that the ankle has “given out” after falling.

Is it worse to tear a ligament or a tendon?

Because tendons have better blood supply than ligaments, tendon injuries tend to heal faster than ligament injuries of comparable severity. Both ligament tears and tendon tears are serious conditions that can cause intense pain and irreversible impairment if left untreated.

How do doctors test for torn ligaments?

Ultrasound. Using sound waves to visualize internal structures, ultrasound may be used to check for injuries in the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the knee.

How do doctors diagnose a torn ligament?

Perform a physical exam of the injured area, asking you to squat, hop, step, flex, or bend, testing your ability to move or bear weight on a joint. Order imaging tests, such as an MRI, ultrasound or x-ray to confirm the diagnosis of a torn ligament or fracture.

What helps ligaments heal faster?

Balance, control, and strengthening exercises can also help your ligaments heal more quickly than they otherwise would.

What is a Grade 3 ligament tear?

Grade 3 sprain

It means that the ligament is completely torn or ruptured. You experience severe swelling and bruising. The joint probably isn't functional because it's too unstable, and movement creates intense pain. If you have a grade 3 sprain in the ankle, for example, walking usually isn't possible.

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 a Grade 3 ligament tear heal on its own?

Can an MCL tear heal on its own? A grade 1 MCL tear (minor tear) can usually heal on its own with rest within one to three weeks. Grade 2 and grade 3 MCL tears, which are more severe, need proper treatment in order to heal, which can include resting, wearing a knee brace and doing physical therapy.

How soon can you walk after ankle ligament surgery?

Patients are generally able to walk normally twelve weeks after their surgery, and are also able to resume high impact sports activities.

Does your whole body go in for a ankle MRI?

You won't have to go all the way into the machine.

For a foot or ankle MRI, you usually only need your leg to be inside the machine.

How do you treat a torn ankle ligament?