The symptoms do not resolve with physiotherapy and the patient presents with chronic lateral ankle pain. The swelling. Medscape. A sprained ankle is a very common type of ankle injury that can happen if you twist or turn your foot beyond its normal movement. These are figure of 8, stirrups, heel lock, Acute ankle pain occurs suddenly and includes sprains, strains, and fractures. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. The anterior talofibular is the most commonly injured ligament and, if torn, can lead to ankle instability. 7 weeks after simple fib fx and sprained ankle. You should also see your doctor if the sprain doesnt seem to be improving over time. Reviewed October 2009. Although the pain in your ankle may have eased, you should wait until you have full range of motion and have rebuilt the strength in your ankle. After a sprain you may feel that your ankle is unstable, you may have problems controlling it, or you may have balance problems when standing on the affected foot. Cellulitis. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition. The injured foot must be rested for the first 48 to 72 hours to prevent any further injury. If you suspect you have sprained your ankle, its important to see a doctor for confirmation and diagnosis. Sprains and strains - NHS Sharp or shooting pain, numbness, or tingling in your toes. Cooling the injury as fast as possible will reduce the swelling and pain. If youre not sure when and how to start exercising your ankle, you can check this with a doctor or physiotherapist. The injury can cause damage to the peroneal nerve, which may lead to symptoms like these: A burning sensation or pain Numbness Tingling Radiating or shooting pain Weakness If you're struggling with these symptoms after a sprained ankle, you're not alone. They will be able to diagnose whether you have sprain and rule out any more serious injuries with similar symptoms. Symptoms include: Injuries which should always be considered when diagnosing pain on the outside of the ankle include: Our step by step rehabilitation program takes you from initial injury to full fitness. Be s Has physical therapy been initiated at any time? If this is the case, further investigation may be needed to find the cause of any ongoing symptoms. Page last reviewed: 10 February 2021 There are lots of treatments to help ease the symptoms of a sprained ankle. Peroneal tendonitis/tendinopathy is inflammation of the peroneal tendons which run behind the bony bit on the outside of the ankle (lateral malleolus). Sprains and strains are common injuries affecting the muscles and ligaments. OrthoInfo. Reviewed September 2019. It must not be allowed to affect the blood circulation. They occur suddenly as opposed to developing gradually over time. The pain will get worse with exercise, particularly running, and ease with rest. Chronic ankle injuries develop gradually over time, often through overuse. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Book a GP appointment, health assessment, sexual health check and more, at a time that suits you. Its another reason for the pain to persist and cause so much discomfort that it makes normal movement impossible.