Can you walk with a sprained ankle?

Pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by ankle sprains make it difficult to move the foot and, in many cases, prevent us from walking. Also, overloading an injured ankle can make the situation worse and aggravate injuries.

Nevertheless, if the sprain is mild There are measures that can help us to move with a certain normality, although with caution and always following the instructions of a specialist.

What is an ankle sprain?

A ankle sprain is an injury that occurs when the ankle ligaments are torn or stretched too much, often after a fall, sprain or overexertion (due to sports, for example).

Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connects the bones of the foot and ankle. They are important to support the ankle and maintain its stability and balance, which allows us to walk, run and jump.

There are several ligaments in the ankle, but the ones that are most often injured are the lateral ones, which are on the outside of the ankle.

Some factors can increase the risk of having an ankle sprain, such as practice high impact sports that require sudden movements or jumps, have weak ankles or use a inappropriate footwear.

Symptoms of a sprained ankle

The symptoms of an ankle sprain depend on its severity. there is usually pain, with greater or lesser intensity, something that already makes it difficult for us to move the ankle and walk normally. Additionally, it can cause:

swelling around the ankle.Rigidity or tingling in the foot. Feeling of instability.Appearance of purple in the ankle area.

It is important to seek medical attention to apply the appropriate treatment and prevent the injury from going further.

Can you walk with a sprained ankle?

Depending on the severity of your ankle sprain, you may not feel much pain and may not have trouble walking. However, you should keep in mind that walking and overloading the ankle It can make the injury worse, so you should always consult the doctor before.

It is preferable to use a splint, orthopedic boot, or bandage to provide support and stability to the injured ankle and help relieve pain.

In severe cases, you may not be able to walk and, in fact, you should avoid moving or overloading the ankle until the doctor evaluates the injury and indicates the best treatment for you.

How to heal a sprained ankle

He ankle sprain treatment usually includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation foot when you are sitting or lying down, a method known as RICE. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe pain medication, physical therapy, and when the sprain is more severe, surgery may even be necessary.

Compression can be done with a functional bandagewhich helps provide support and stability to the injured ankle, as well as reduce inflammation.

To do this you need an elastic bandage with a width of about 10 centimeters. It is done as follows:

Start by wrapping the bandage twice around the toestarting at the base of the fingers. Wrap the bandage several times around the foot and ankle forming a figure eight. Finish by wrapping the bandage twice around the lower leg, a little above the ankle. The bandage must cover the entire area, from the tip of the foot to the ankle, including the heel.

To be useful, the bandage has to be tense, but without strangling the foot nor be uncomfortable. If your foot hurts or tingles, like you don’t have enough circulation, you should take it off and do it again.