What if sprained foot

To start to define the terms. In medicine, there is no concept of "twisted leg", but "ankle injury" is.

What kind of damage it received the joint and surrounding tissues depends on further rehabilitation. It is therefore important to understand what you ache after an awkward step.

It hurts when sprained foot

Ankle - one of the most vulnerable mechanisms in the human body. As the name implies, it is the bones of the leg and foot. Bones, in turn, are fixed by elastic cords.

The problem is that at the ankle assigned contradictory functions. On the one hand, so that we can walk and run, it must provide a high mobility of the foot. Therefore ankle consists of a medium-sized pile of bones that form a complex and fragile system.

On the other, the ankle is holding the entire body weight. And when we go to or run, This load is only strengthened. Help absorb the pressure of the bunch. Often - the cost of his integrity.

So you've twisted my ankle - inadvertently set foot on the edge and loaded its own weight. Depending on how strong was this burden may occur:

1. Sprain. Bundles withstand the pressure and the ankle was saved from destruction, but in the fabric formed microfractures. And they will not hurt badly, until healed.
2. Ligament tear or rupture. Bundles did not survive, their tissue is torn, but the bones remained intact. Typically, this is accompanied by a click of injury and pain at the same time stronger than in tension.
3. Dislocation or fracture of the ankle. Ligaments, break even (however, the gap is not mandatory), were unable to protect bones. Ankle joint is moved, and some bones may have been broken. Such injury is accompanied by characteristic symptoms and other crunch fracture. The pain is so severe, that does not allow to stand on the injured leg.

When it is necessary to address urgently to the doctor

As is clear, the consequences of the injury can be very different - from mild to quite serious. As soon as possible contactSprain: First aid in the emergency room or to a surgeon if:

1. You can not stand on the damaged leg.
2. Joint "walks", there is a feeling of instability.
3. You feel a strong numbness or tingling in the area of ​​the ankle, which does not pass even a few hours.
4. Severe pain does not pass an hour or longer.
5. The injury is still ill a day after the injury, with a strong visible swelling and bruising.
6. The skin at the site of injury blushed and became hot to the touch. This may indicate an infection.
7. Ankle was already suffering from sprains, fracture or serious sprain, and now you see similar symptoms.

Do not stall. If it is a fracture or dislocation, a delay may result in your ankle for a long time will lose its stability, and you will acquire chronic pain.

What if sprained foot

But if you are lucky and frightening symptoms is not likely, we are talking only about sprains. This condition does not require some specific treatment and usually resolves itself.

To speed up healing, doctors are advised to use the so-called RICE-therapy.

1. R - Rest - Rest. Give a damaged leg rest. The first day or two after the injury, try to walk less, and ideally - all lie down at home.
2. I - Ice - the ice. To reduce pain and relieve swelling, apply to the affected joint, something cold. This may be a thin crocked towel pack with ice or frozen vegetables or warmer, filled with ice water.
3. C - Compress - Compression. Put on a foot something dense, such as compression stockings, or apply a pressure bandage on the joint. This will help relieve edema. Just make sure that is not disturbed by the bloodstream.
4. E - Elevate - rise. Immediately after the injury, try to at least half an hour (preferably - more) to lie on her back, lifting the victim foot above heart level. For this sheet under the heel cushion. This procedure will also help remove the swelling and accelerate healing.

To get rid of the pain, take ibuprofen or paracetamol aspirin.

What can be done if the sprained foot

For faster recovery ligaments remember a few "no"Foot Sprain: Care Instructions:

1. Do not engage in sports, which loads the ankle, while a sore leg.
2. Do not take a warm bath and do not try to "cure" his ankle hot compresses or a hike in the bath in the first 2-3 days after the injury. Elevated temperatures may increase the swelling.
3. Do not massage the ankle the first 2-3 days after the injury. There is a risk to instruct himself bruises and trigger inflammation.
4. Not zalozhivaytes. If the first 1-2 days after the injury rest the foot even shown, it is then necessary to re-start the move (of course, not in the case of sprains and fractures). Gently and gradually increasing the load on the joints, you speed up his recovery.