Can an ankle be sprained for years?

Can an ankle be sprained for years?

“An ankle sprain that lingers beyond 3 months is often an injury to a bone, tendon or ligament that is unlikely to heal without intervention,” he says. “And the longer an ankle injury persists without proper treatment, the greater the likelihood that permanent disability will result.”

Why is my ankle still swollen years after a sprain?

But swelling that persists for more than three months may be a sign of trouble. The lining of the capsule surrounding a joint is called the synovium, and anything inside the joint that irritates the synovium will cause it to secrete fluid. Swelling inside of a joint is often a sign that something is causing irritation.

How do you regain flexibility in your ankle after a sprain?

Start rehab with range-of-motion exercises in the first 72 hours after your injury. Continue with further rehab, including stretching, strength training, and balance exercises, over the next several weeks to months. You can do rehab exercises at home or even at the office to strengthen your ankle.

Will my ankle ever look the same after a sprain?

Once they are stretched out, they will never return to their original shapes. We are left with an ankle that is less stable, especially in the direction that the sprain occurred. To add fuel to the fire, the sprained ligaments lose the ability to efficiently communicate with your brain.

Do ankle sprains ever fully heal?

They can take longer to heal and sometimes require longer than three months to resolve with treatments like splinting, wearing a boot or a walking cast, and physical therapy. With the proper treatment, however, your high ankle sprain can heal completely.

Can an ankle sprain take a year to heal?

An ankle sprain usually takes between 2 weeks to 2 months to heal. The ankle will feel better after a few weeks, and be fully strengthened in a few months. A severely sprained ligament, however, can take 9 months to 1 year to heal.

Can an old ankle injury cause swelling years later?

Old Ankle Sprains Can Come Back to Haunt You Pain in your ankle or foot is not a normal part of the aging process, even if you’re just now trying to get back into shape. Persistent or recurrent swelling is a common symptom a previously-injured athlete may experience.

Do sprained ankles ever fully heal?

Can a sprained ankle cause permanent damage?

All it takes is one harmless misstep to leave you with a sprained ankle. While it’s one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in people of all ages, it can lead to permanent damage if you aren’t careful.

Can an old sprain come back?

What happens if you don’t treat an ankle sprain?

Ankle sprains (and ankle fractures ), if not treated, will result in a loss of “dorsiflexion,” or flexing of the ankle. Take a look at the photo above where a patient was asked to flex the ankle as far as possible. It is subtle, but notice how the right ankle has lost a slight amount of this range of motion.

How long does it take for a sprained ankle to heal?

HealthStatus 4 6 0 Spraining an ankle can be a very painful injury and can take time to heal. It is common for people to continue to experience pain several months after the injury. If the injury does not heal properly the pain can continue for months or even years following the injury.

How long should I wait to elevate a sprained ankle?

I would definitely wait a couple hours. Usually, those patients have some substantial pain relief within four to six hours after the injury, especially if they do elevate the foot, if you do the cooling of the injured ankle.

When should I get an X-ray for an ankle sprain?

I’ve heard that sometimes, if the person who sprains their ankle is not able to put weight on that foot for a period of time right after the injury, they should receive an x-ray. Dr. Barg: Usually, right after the injury, almost everybody who has ankle sprains cannot bear weight. I would definitely wait a couple hours.