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What Is A Sprain?
What Are The Symptoms Of An Ankle Sprain, And How Is One Treated?
What Should Be Done When A Child Suffers A Sprain?
How Do I Know If My Child Is Ready To Return To Sports?
What Should My Child Do When He Returns To Sports?

A sprain is a stretch and/or tear of a ligament, the fibrous band of tissue joining the end of one bone with another that stabilizes and supports the body's joints.

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Because the outer ankle is more stable than the inner ankle, the foot is likely to turn inward (ankle inversion) from a fall, tackle, or jump. This stretches or tears ligaments; the result is an ankle sprain. The lateral ligament on the outer ankle is most prone to injury. As a result, virtually all ankle sprains are "inversion" sprains.

As with burns, there are three "degrees" of sprains: mild (first-degree), moderate (second degree) and severe (third-degree). While the intensity varies, pain, bruising, and swelling (inflammation) are common to all three categories.

ANKLE SPRAINS	First Degree (Mild)	Second Degree (Moderate)	Third Degree (Severe)
Description	Minor stretching of ligaments	Partial tear of ligaments	Complete tear of ligaments, or ligaments separate from bone
X-rays?	Not necessary unless suspect a fracture	Sometimes, depending on exam	Sometimes, depending on exam
Emergency room or doctor's office visit	Call doctor but, unless instructed by doctor to go to ER, wait to see doctor on next business day	Call doctor but, unless instructed by doctor to go to ER, wait to see doctor on next business day	Call doctor but, unless instructed by doctor to go to ER, wait to see doctor on next business day
Swelling?	Minimal; may not be swelling for several hours	Noticeable	Severe
Ankle Instability?	No	Yes (mild)	Yes (unable to bear any weight)
Painful to stand and walk?	No	Yes	Yes. Excruciating pain at moment of injury
Treatment	RICE	RICE plus crutches (rent at medical supply store) until can bear weight well (recovery time varies from a few days to a week);	RICE plus cast and crutches for two to four weeks; surgery may be necessary
Return to sports	From 2 days up to a week	Usually 2 to 3 weeks (after physical therapy), but possibly as long as 6 weeks	Recovery after intensive physical therapy may take 6 to 8 weeks

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Article Updated: July 6, 2006

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