FAQs
Swelling and Bruising
How do you know if your ankle ligament is torn? ›
Symptoms include bruising, swelling and some pain. With a grade 2 injury, you'll have some difficulty putting weight on the leg. You may also have trouble bending or rotating the ankle. Grade 3: A grade 3 injury is a complete tear or rupture of an ankle ligament.
Can you still walk with a torn ligament in your ankle? ›
Can You Walk with a Torn Ligament in Your Ankle? Yes, you can usually walk with a torn ligament thanks to the other ligaments and supporting structures, but you may feel a lot of pain and a sensation of weakness and instability as you walk. Will a full tear, you can walk with an Aircast boot.
Can an ankle ligament tear heal itself? ›
Yes, a torn ankle ligament can heal on its own with the appropriate immobilization and rehabilitation, and surgery may not be necessary in most cases. Physical therapy, medication, and immobilization devices such as a cast or brace may be part of the treatment.
What do doctors do for torn ligaments in ankle? ›
Your surgeon may remove your ATFL and your CFL ankle ligaments from where they attach on your fibula. They may make these ligaments shorter. Your surgeon may then reattach these ligaments to your fibula by using small holes drilled into your bone and special suture. Your surgeon may make other repairs, if necessary.
Is walking good for torn ligaments? ›
In case of ligament sprain or rupture, doctors generally will recommend using the knee normally. Walking should not cause any more damage. However, make sure to walk with your heel down first. In the case of recovering patients, gradually increase the activity duration.
What happens if a torn ankle ligament goes untreated? ›
If you don't apply correct treatment or surgical repair for torn ankle ligaments, you are likely to end up with chronic instability. Ankle instability can lead to other problems. The structures of the joint can be damaged by too much movement or repeated sprains.
How do you tell if a ligament is stretched or torn? ›
What are the Symptoms of a Torn Ligament?
- Snapping, popping or a crackling sound when the injury occurs.
- Pain that doesn't improve within 24 to 72 hours.
- Swelling that doesn't lessen within 24 to 72 hours.
- Bruising.
- Limited ability to move the joint.
- Inability to bear weight on joint.
- Symptoms that get worse.
In rare cases of a full tear of multiple ligaments, a surgical option may allow an athlete to return to activity sooner than with rehabilitation. A grade 1 sprain can take one to three weeks for recovery, while a grade 2 can take three to six weeks, and a grade 3 or a high ankle sprain recovery can last several months.
What are four signs an ankle sprain is bad? ›
Your doctor may be able to tell the severity of your ankle sprain based on the amount of swelling, pain, bruising, and stability. If you have difficulty bearing weight, or tenderness in the bones of the foot and ankle, you may need additional tests to rule out a fracture.
A fully torn ligament, or grade 3 tear, can cause chronic pain and joint instability. Complete tears rarely heal naturally. Since there's a disconnect between the tissue and any chance of blood supply, surgery is needed. Surgery also helps the joint heal correctly and reduces the chances of re-injury.
Should you wrap a torn ankle ligament? ›
To help stabilize the joint, while the ligaments heal, you may need to wrap the ankle. There are a few different types of tapes, bandages, and braces that are effective and easy to use.
Can you walk on a broken ankle ligament? ›
Broken ankle — can you still walk? Typically, a minor ankle fracture won't prevent you from walking. You might even be able to walk right after the injury. If you have a serious break, you'll need to avoid walking for a few months.
How do you tell difference between a sprain and a tear on the ankle? ›
“A mild sprain should take approximately seven to 10 days to heal,” Mufich said. “A torn ligament is considered a severe sprain that will cause pain, inflammation, bruising and result in ankle instability, often making it difficult and painful to walk.
How long does it take for ankle ligaments to heal? ›
How long does a sprained ankle take to heal? The recovery time for a sprained ankle varies depending on the severity of your injury. It may take anywhere from two weeks to heal a minor sprain and anywhere from six to 12 weeks to heal a severe sprain.
The ligament on the outside of your ankle has three separate bands. The front (anterior talo-fibular) and middle (calcaneo-fibular) are those commonly associated with sprains. While you should generally have a physician examine an ankle that has sustained injury, there are a few tell-tale signs that it could be more than just a sprain.