Accidents happen, it is a regular part of life to sustain an injury every once in a while. Ankle sprains and strains happen all the time. A sprain occurs when some of the ligaments that stabilize a joint are stretched or torn. This can happen because of a variety of factors, but most of the time it is simply due to the ligament being forced beyond its normal range of motion. NJ Doctors Urgent care treats sprains, and strains of all different kinds at our walk-in urgent care facilities in Pompton Plains and Sayreville, New Jersey. One of the most common injuries that we treat is ankle sprains. People sprain their ankles from doing all sorts of activities.
Sprained ankle symptoms:
- Swelling of the ankle
- Ankle instability
- Limited ROM (Range of Motion)
- Bruised ankles
- Popping or clicking sensations
- Pain when loading the joint with weight
Any of the above symptoms could be giving you grief if you recently sprained your ankle. Over the counter pain medications can help with minor ankle strains and sprains, but if you suspect you sprained your ankle, it is advised to seek medical attention to make sure that there isn’t a break in the bone.
How to avoid spraining your ankle
- Make sure the shoes you wear offer appropriate ankle support for your activity
- Avoid running on uneven surfaces
- Avoid sports or activities that you are not physically ready for
- Perform stability and balance exercises
- Use an ankle brace if you need one
- Warm up properly before engaging in physical activity.
These are just a few things to keep in mind if you want to avoid spraining your ankle or re-spraining your ankle. It is important to seek medical attention to avoid complications including chronic ankle instability, repeat sprains, and arthritis. You don’t need to worry if you have a sprained ankle. Just remain calm, try not to move it too much to avoid causing further damage, and come into our office as soon as possible for medical care. If you recently sprained your ankle and you are in pain, visit one of our clinics in Pompton Plains or Sayreville. Our doctors will treat your ankle sprain and get you out of pain as soon as possible. No appointments are necessary; you can just walk-in to our clinic for immediate medical care.