Skip to content
medi-usa-logo

medi USA

Compression | Orthopedics | Wound Care

  • Patients and Caregivers
  • Healthcare Professional
  • Dealer Solutions
  • Services
B2B Portal
medi-usa-logo
medi USA
Compression | Orthopedics | Wound Care

Sprains

Home / Patients and Caregivers / Joint Pain / Ankle / Sprains
  • What is a sprain?
  • What does a sprained ankle look and feel like?
  • Sprain causes
  • How to prevent sprains
  • Recovery from an ankle sprain

What is a sprain?

A sprain is one of the most common sports injuries. It occurs when the collagen fibers in the joint capsule or the surrounding ligaments and muscles are severely overstretched. It is often accompanied by bleeding, swelling and small tears.

What does a sprained ankle look and feel like?

The signs of a sprain are pain, swelling of the joint, bruising and limited mobility of the joints. As a general rule, the more swollen the ankle is, the worse the injury. If you can still stand and walk on the ankle after twisting it, it’s likely that nothing’s broken. Nevertheless, it is advisable to consult your doctor, a sports doctor or an orthopedic specialist to rule out a ruptured ligament or a broken bone.

Sprain causes

Ankle sprains often occur when playing basketball or when jumping or jogging on uneven ground. Some people have weak ligaments and are more susceptible to sprains than others. People with high-foot arches, delayed muscle reaction or weak muscles are affected more often.

How to prevent sprains

Sprains are frequently suffered during sports. But there are products we can wear to prevent them (e.g. supports, sports compression socks or wrist guards). These products stabilize the joints and ensure that the joints are not sprained so easily. Sports compression socks are available from well-stocked sports shops. Ask for CEP® socks. These not only stabilize the joints, but they also boost athletic performance. In addition, they promote rapid regeneration after training. Another good tip: make sure you wear suitable and safe footwear. 

Recovery from an ankle sprain

Once the foot has been twisted, you should heed the RICE rule for first aid:

  • R = Rest
  • I = Ice (cooling)
  • C = Compression
  • E = Elevate

As with most sports injuries, you should stop doing whatever you were doing straight away. Start to cool the affected joint immediately. This makes blood vessels constrict, so less fluid leaks into the tissues and the swelling stays minor. Cooling also suppresses the inflammatory reaction, keeps bruising local and relieves pain.

Wrap an elastic bandage around the joint under slight tension. During the acute phase, it’s best to combine the pressure dressing with an icepack. Your doctor can also prescribe a medical device if need be. For example, medi supports such as Levamed or Levamed Active are suitable for this. These combine compression with a massaging effect that promotes the healing process.

Depending on the degree of severity of the injury, there are also orthoses for the ankle joint. The latest ankle product from medi® is the Levamed Stabili-tri, a modular ankle orthosis that can be flexibly adapted to the course of healing, thus making it possible to provide functional (phase-adapted) care.

Treatment for a sprain is usually simple. The pain recedes within a few days and you can fully weight-bear on the joint after three months at the latest. However, in some cases, ligamentous injuries and swelling caused by a sprain can lead to chronic instability of the joint. In these cases, it is a good idea to use an ankle support with an extra strap (e.g. Levamed Active). This safeguards against recurrent sprain injuries.

Orthopedic bracing and supports near you link

Chronic ligamentous instability can lead to excessive wear and tear of the articular cartilage and the onset of osteoarthritis. This is why you are recommended to consult an orthopedic specialist or sports doctor, even if the sprain seems harmless.

orthopedic bracing and support product finder link

Company

  • Our story
  • I feel better
  • medi moments
  • medi USA Brands
  • medi USA News
  • medi for help

Services

  • Product Registration
  • Dealer Locator
  • B2B Portal
  • Careers Center
  • medi USA’s Patent Portfolio
  • Warranty

MEDI USA LINKS

  • Transparency in Coverage

Contact medi USA

6481 Franz Warner Pkwy
Whitsett NC 27377, USA

+1 800-633-6334
info@mediusa.com

© 2023 medi USA. I feel better

Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms and Conditions | Website Accessibility

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of cookies by this website. Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept CookiesAccept All Cookies
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analyticsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functionalThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessaryThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-othersThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performanceThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policyThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
  • Patients and Caregivers
  • Healthcare Professional
  • Dealer Solutions
  • Services
B2B Portal