When a person presents to the doctor with a Grade 1 ankle sprain he is much less likely to order an x-ray to check for bone damage then if the person presents with a Grade 2 or 3 sprain. Ankle sprains may be common but they also restrict the activity levels of those who suffer from them. This can mean lost work or school time as well as lost training if the person was an athlete. And once an ankle has suffered a Grade 2 or 3 sprain it is much more likely to be injured again unless there is significant retraining and strengthening done to support the joint.
Treatment
Treatment for sprained ankles isn’t necessarily complex or difficult but it is time consuming and requires commitment. Sprained ankles are graded in their severity. Those who suffer a Grade 1 sprain will not have the required physical therapy and strength training necessary to return to normal activity that someone who suffers from a Grade 2 or 3 sprain.
The grade of the sprain is dependent on the amount of tearing that the collagen tissue in the ligament suffers. A complete tear requires the most rehabilitation while a mild tear (Grade 1) may not require more than rest.
In any case you should consult your doctor to determine the grade of your sprain and the recommendations that they and your physical therapist will make to get you back to working order. The treatments outlined here are only to help you make an informed decision with your doctor and to give you help to recover as quickly as possible.
Your doctor may also advise you to take some anti-inflammatory medications to help with the pain and discomfort. Over the counter ibuprofen works well for this situation unless you have a Grade 3 tear that may require surgery.
