Complications of Playing Through a Sprained Ankle

An ankle sprain is a common sports injury that affects athletes at all levels. While you may be so dedicated to your favorite sport that you opt to play through the pain of a sprained ankle, doing so can have long-lasting consequences.

At Adler Foot and Ankle in North Miami Beach and Hallandale, Florida, our skilled podiatrists offer comprehensive care for ankle injuries, including sprains, strains, and fractures. 

Laura Adler, DPM, and Charlton Adler, DPM, focus on noninvasive therapies to relieve your ankle pain and protect the structures of your joint. They also offer minimally invasive surgical treatment for severe sprains and other ankle injuries.

Here’s why early sprain care — including rest — is so important to your long-term ankle health. 

An overview of an ankle sprain injury

Ankle sprains occur when the tough ligament tissues that keep your ankle bones together stretch out or tear. Sprains can occur from simple movements like stepping awkwardly off a curb or from repeated movements associated with running, sports, and other activities. 

As the result of a sprain, you might experience sudden symptoms like:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Ankle instability
• Limited range of motion

Your ankle might also make a popping sound if the ligament tears away from the bone.

Treatment for an ankle sprain depends on the severity of the injury. However, mild to moderate sprains usually heal on their own with protection, rest, activity modification, ice therapy, and OTC pain relievers.

Our team recommends that you schedule an early evaluation of ankle sprain symptoms to prevent further complications. A poorly healed sprain can lead to chronic problems that can reduce your mobility and lower your quality of life.

Understanding potential ankle sprain complications

When you don’t get prompt treatment for an ankle sprain — especially if you continue to use the injured ankle — you may be at a significantly higher risk for more serious ankle problems. Recurrent ankle sprains can also put you at risk for:

Chronic ankle instability

Chronic ankle instability causes the outer bones of your ankle joint to give out when you’re walking or standing. Your ankle may often feel wobbly and painful when you move it. You might also notice that your ankle turns out abnormally during activities.

Osteoarthritis of the ankle

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative type of arthritis that develops when the protective cartilage that lines the end of your ankle bones breaks down and wears away. This allows the bones to rub together, generating friction, inflammation, and pain.

Ankle OA is a progressive condition that can ultimately cause chronic ankle instability, persistent pain, and disability.

Know your treatment options for ankle sprains

Mild to moderate ankle sprains that aren’t treatable with rest and lifestyle changes may benefit from noninvasive laser therapy. Our team uses advanced laser technology to stimulate your body’s natural healing processes to repair damaged ligaments.

If your ankle ligaments are torn, we discuss your options for arthroscopic surgery. We can repair torn ligaments through small incisions around the joint using minimally invasive techniques that require less recovery time and lower your risk for infection, scars, and pain.

We also specialize in educational resources to prevent recurrent ankle sprains, including recommendations for warm-up exercises before you play sports or custom orthotics that provide your ankle with better support.

Have you injured your ankle? Our team at Adler Foot and Ankle can help. Call or click online to schedule an ankle evaluation at your nearest office in Miami or Hallandale, Florida.