MEREDITH MC DONOUGH - Our topic is ankle sprains! I had ankle sprains in the past while playing basketball. I had to be on crutches; hoping around for days, while it healed. It was such a pain! Is that really the way you treat these?
Dr. Steve - There's no question, ankle sprains are inconvenient. Most ankle sprains are from turning the foot in while it is pointed down. What that does is put stress on the ligament right here (using model). You can tear this ligament; and if the injury is severe, you can tear others. Most commonly it is the front one that is injured.
However, the treatment is not the same as it was in the past. Now, the evidence and literature tells us that the best thing to do with an ankle sprain is to start weight-bearing, as much as they can tolerate, as soon as they can tolerate it, in a protected environment. So, after you injure your ankle, the first thing you want to do is to put a little stirrup splint on it to protect the joint; then, start walking on it. If you can tolerate walking on it without an assistive device, like crutches or a cane, do that. However, if you need a cane or crutch for a few days, use it. Weight bear as you can tolerate while protected with a splint, the better off you are going to be. The evidence tells us that you are going to recover faster and easier.
Immediate treatment is PRICE - protection (splint); rest (not walking around doing your normal activities); ice; compression (wrap it); elevate it (elevate your foot frequently throughout the day). This all done immediately helps the healing process. If you need an assistive device to walk around, like crutches, then you use them.
Full recovery requires you to be able to squat completely, look the same on both sides with no pain, duck walk, sprint, and run with fast cuts going right and left. If you can do all those things, then you can return to your activities like playing basketball.
The typical injury takes six weeks to heal.
MEREDITH MC DONOUGH - Six weeks! So we need to be patient!
Dr. Steve - Yes be patient and if you can tolerate it move it and walk on it that is going to make the recovery faster and happier.
MEREDITH MC DONOUGH - If you want more information contact Dr. Steve at 1-800-NEWSELF or www.alleghenyChesapeake.com
Dr. Steve Show/The Body Shop 
