Sprained Foot Treatment

It has been observed that most people are confused between a sprain and a strain and both the terms are often used interchangeably. While a strain is an injury caused to a muscle, tendon or other soft tissues, a sprain is a partial or complete tear of a ligament (a ligament is a strong, elastic tissue that connects the bones with each other). If you compare both these conditions, a sprain can be considered as the more serious one, which needs immediate sprained foot treatment. This article deals with the various aspects of treating a sprained foot.

Foot Sprains

Sprained foot is one of the common foot injuries that are caused during activities, like, walking, running, dancing, playing, exercising, etc. Even though, it is a common sports injury, it occurs in other people too. In case of the foot, sprains are found to occur in the mid foot region (area that includes the arch of the foot), first metatarsophalangeal joint (joint at the base of the big toe) and ankle. Ankle sprains are the most commonly seen foot sprains.

One of the most prominent and immediate symptoms of a sprain is sharp and intense pain that can even make any movements of the foot impossible. Sprained foot symptoms may also include bruising and swelling of the affected area. Foot sprains are divided into three grades as per the severity of the condition. Sprained foot treatment may slightly vary with the grades. Those sprains with stretched ligaments or with mild microscopic tears come under the first grade and if the ligament is partially torn, it is categorized under grade 2. Grade 3 involves those sprains that are torn completely and is considered as the most severe one that arrests the movement of the affected foot. The following paragraph deals with foot sprain treatment.

Foot Sprain Treatment

As mentioned above, there are three grades of foot sprains that are categorized on the basis of severity. The diagnosis includes the physical examination of the area, the symptoms, etc. The doctor will also inquire about how you injured the foot and about any previous foot surgery or trauma. He may also seek information about your job requirements, recreational activities, etc. If the pain is unbearable with considerable swelling and inability to walk, then and X-ray of the sprained foot may also be suggested, so as to rule out the possibility of bone fracture. In some cases, especially, for those with serious foot sprains, and MRI or CT scan may be suggested to get a clear picture of the damage to the soft tissues. Even sports persons or professional dancers may undergo such tests to assess the damage. Sprained foot treatment is almost the same for all types of sprains, but, in some cases, variations can be seen.

In case of mild foot sprains, initial treatment involves application of ice over the area at regular intervals, rest for the next two to three days (the foot should not be moved), bandaging the affected area for reducing the swelling and for supporting the injury, keeping the foot elevated, etc. This mode of initial treatment is popularly known as RICE rule (rest, ice, compression and elevate). This can be accompanied by anti-inflammatory medications and pain killers, so as to reduce the swelling and pain. Severe foot sprains may need cast or an immobilization boot.

In case of complete tear of the ligament, surgery is preferred to other types of sprained foot treatment. How long does a sprained foot take to heal is one of the common queries with regard to this injury. Sprained foot healing time depends on the severity of the injury and the treatment. In general, it can be said that sprained foot recovery time can be anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks for grade 1 foot sprains and 6 to 8 weeks for grade 2 sprains. Grade 3 foot sprains may take around ten weeks for recovery. However, you must gradually resume your normal daily activities only after getting clearance from the doctor. Start with daily rehabilitation exercises and apply ice over the area, before and after the exercise. Now, you have a basic idea about how to treat a sprain.

In short, timely sprained foot treatment can help in speedy recovery. If the swelling and pain persists even after one to two weeks of treatment, you have to consult the situation with the doctor. The same should be done, if other symptoms worsen or you experience numbness or coldness in the area. In case of surgery too, complications, like, bleeding, infection, etc., may occur. In such cases too, seek immediate medical attention.