Foot Sprain
What is a foot sprain?
A foot sprain is an injury that causes a stretch or tear in one or more ligaments in the foot. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to bones.
How does it occur?
A foot sprain occurs by twisting or bending the foot. This can happen if you stumble on an uneven surface, land awkwardly from a jump, or from kicking an object that doesn't move easily.
What are the symptoms?
Pain, swelling, and tenderness in the foot. You may have difficulty walking.
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will review your symptoms, ask how you injured your foot, and examine you. Your provider may want to get an X-ray of your foot. The X-ray will be normal if you have a sprain.
How is it treated?
Treatment may include:
- Applying ice packs to your foot for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for the first 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away. Thereafter, icing your foot at least once a day until the other symptoms are gone.
- Elevating your foot by placing a pillow underneath it. Try to keep your foot above the level of your heart.
- Wrapping an elastic bandage around your foot to keep the swelling from getting worse.
- Using crutches until you can walk without pain.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medicine or other pain medicine prescribed by your provider. Adults aged 65 years and older should not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine for more than 7 days without their healthcare provider's approval.
- Doing foot exercises to improve your foot strength and range of motion. The exercises will help you return to your normal activity or sports.
How long will the effects last?
The length of recovery depends on many factors such as your age, health, and if you have had a previous foot injury. Recovery time also depends on the severity of the sprain. A mild foot sprain may recover within a few weeks, whereas a severe foot sprain may take 6 weeks or longer to recover.
When can I return to my normal activities?
Everyone recovers from an injury at a different rate. Return to your activity will be determined by how soon your foot recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury has occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better. The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your normal activities as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury.
You may safely return to your normal activities when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true:
- You have full range of motion in the injured foot compared to the uninjured foot.
- You have full strength of the injured foot compared to the uninjured foot.
- You can walk straight ahead without pain or limping.
How can I prevent a foot sprain?
Unfortunately, most foot sprains occur during accidents that are not preventable. However, it is important to wear proper fitting footwear and to avoid running or playing on uneven surfaces.
Written by Pierre Rouzier, MD.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
