Why does my sprained ankle still hurt after 5 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."

Can a sprained ankle take 6 months?

In general, it will take a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks and up to 6 months for an ankle sprain to heal. That's why getting a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for an ankle sprain is critical.

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.

Can a sprained ankle take months 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.

Can you permanently damage a sprained ankle?

All it takes is one harmless misstep to leave you with a sprained ankle. While it's one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in people of all ages, it can lead to permanent damage if you aren't careful.

Why Does My Ankle Still Hurt Months After I Sprained It?

Why does my sprained ankle still hurt after 4 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."

What do I do if my sprained ankle won't heal?

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.

How do I know if I tore ligaments in my ankle?

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.

How long does it take for a badly sprained ankle to heal?

It may take anywhere from two weeks to heal a minor sprain and anywhere from six to 12 weeks to heal a severe sprain.

Why does my broken ankle still hurt after a year?

If your ankle starts to hurt long after a break, see your doctor for an evaluation. Bone infection (osteomyelitis). If you have an open fracture, meaning one end of the bone protrudes through the skin, your bone may be exposed to bacteria that cause infection. Compartment syndrome.

How long does a grade 3 ankle sprain take to heal?

Grade 3 injuries are more severe in nature and often involve full tearing of the ligament and possible bone fracture. The length of time to recover from grade 3 ankle sprains could be 3 months or more.

How long does a torn ligament take to heal?

For minor tears with microscopic damage, it may take up to 6 weeks for a full recovery as long as you don't do anything to perpetuate the injury (i.e., like exercising before your doctor clears you to do so). Obviously, the more severe the tear, the longer it will take to recover, especially if surgery is required.

Can you walk on a grade 3 ankle sprain?

Grade 3 sprain

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. Grade 3 sprains often require a brace or cast for at least a couple of weeks.

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.

What does a torn tendon feel like in your ankle?

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.

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.

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.

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).

How do I know if my torn ligament is healed?

This is your body's healing phase. You will know when this phase is over because the injured area does not hurt and you no longer have restricted range of motion in the area. You will know when this phase is not complete because you may still pain pain, swelling, and some restricted movement.

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.

Why is my ankle pain not healing?

Damage to the interior bones, ligaments, and cartilage can cause the ankle to not heal properly. Scar tissue or trapped fluid can also cause persistent pain. A visit to your foot specialist to undergo physical imaging and diagnostics is needed to find the proper treatment plan as every injury is different.

What happens if a sprain doesn't heal?

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.

Can ankle swelling be permanent?

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.