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A sprained ankle is an injury to the ankle joint with severe pain and swelling. It prevents normal walking.
Sprained ankle – causes
When can an ankle sprain? The most common cause is that the foot is heavily loaded on its inside or outside edge, or it is excessively twisted to the side. Then the anterior sagittal ligament or calcaneal ligament is damaged (torn, torn or stretched).
Sprained ankle – symptoms
Symptoms of an ankle sprain are primarily sharp pain and the appearance of swelling at the site of the sprain. They are caused by inflammatory mediators (mainly prostaglandins and histamine), which appear as a result of tissue damage. Pain and swelling are accompanied by redness and inflammation. In some cases, a hematoma may also appear – this happens when the ligament fibers and the blood vessels around them are torn. Very rarely, muscles and bones are injured during an ankle injury.
Ankle sprain – treatment
Ankle sprain is classified into three degrees. Each of them reflects the severity of the injury:
- Stage I – very light trauma, cold compresses are recommended, stiffening the ankle with an elastic bandage and significant limitation of motor activity;
- XNUMXnd degree – moderate degree of trauma; cold compresses are also used with it, supported by the action of analgesic and anti-inflammatory gel preparations (eg Fastum, Voltaren, Ketonal), as well as anti-swelling ointments (eg Altacet). Depending on the physician’s judgment, a stabilizer with lateral braces may be required instead of a bandage;
- Stage III – the strongest trauma in which the bone is damaged, which requires the plaster to be put on for 2-3 weeks, and after its removal it is necessary to use a stabilizer. Anti-swelling and anti-inflammatory drugs are administered throughout the treatment.
Sprained ankle – what to do?
When an ankle sprain occurs, place a cold compress on it as soon as possible. This will inhibit and reduce swelling and reduce pain. A visit to the emergency room is then necessary, where the ankle will be X-rayed to classify the injury into one of the three categories listed.
Sprained ankle – how long does the treatment take?
The duration of treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury. For the lightest it is up to 14 days, for the second degree it is 2 to 4 weeks, and in the case of the heaviest – up to eight weeks. In extremely severe trauma situations where surgery is required, the time may be considerably longer. It depends on the type of surgery. For example, when a tendon is transplanted from another part of the body (which is done to reconstruct damaged ligaments), the leg is cast in a cast for 6 weeks.
Sprained ankle – compensation
Does a sprained ankle allow compensation? The National Health Fund and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) reimburse expenses related to treatment and rehabilitation, and should also compensate for the income lost during these activities.
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