How Does a Foot Sprain Happen?
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How Does a Sprain Occur?
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Ever step into a hole in your backyard that you could have sworn wasn't there two seconds ago? Suddenly your foot does this strange wobbly motion and you are plunged into the world of intense pain. Anyone that has had to deal with a foot sprain understands that there is some key information that everyone should know about this common type of injury.
What is a Foot Sprain?
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It is easy to mix up the words "sprain" and "strain." A strain is an injury to a tendon, muscle or other soft tissue that that is the result of overuse, overstretching or excessive force. A sprain is a partial or complete rupture of a ligament. A ligament is a tough, elastic tissue that allows bones to connect to one another. A sprain is the more serious of the two injuries. A foot sprain tends to announce itself with sharp and immediate intense pain. Any attempt at walking causes you to wince in misery. A foot sprain occurs when there is a sudden and unexpected twist of the foot. This can happen when you step into an unstable or uneven surface. You may also have an awkward landing from a jump or maybe you kicked something that was difficult to move. A sprain that is caused by chronic overuse usually results in tenderness and stiffness. Any one of those circumstances can cause damage to your foot.
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How Severe is Your Sprain?
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Get an idea of how bad your injury is. A first degree sprain is a mild injury. Your ligaments are stretched but not enough to cause an actual tear. You may not have very much pain or inflammation. Keep in mind that even a first degree sprain increases your risks of another sprain. A second degree sprain causes a partial tear of the ligament. You will usually have swelling and a rainbow assortment of colors on your foot, otherwise known as bruising. A third degree sprain is the worst type of these injuries. The ligament is completely ruptured and instant inflammation usually occurs. The ankle is completely unstable and it is impossible to bear any weight on it. Once you suffer a foot sprain, your physician will order x-rays to determine that you haven't broken any bones. He will examine your foot and review how the injury occurred.
Treatment of Your Sprain
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Treatment of a foot sprain includes using ice packs every three to four hours for the first few days. Always elevate your foot as much as possible. Prop up your foot with pillows above the level of your heart. Wrapping an elastic bandage around your foot can help to ease inflammation. Take an anti-inflammatory medication as soon as you can. This will help with pain as well as inflammation. Never try to walk off the pain. This will only cause your symptoms to worsen. Your physician may suggest a rehab program that will help to strengthen your foot and minimize soreness and stiffness. Be patient after sustaining this type of injury as most of them take a couple of weeks to heal. A severe injury to the foot can take months to recover.
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