During sports or even in everyday life, it can quickly happen that you twist your ankle. Often a strong swelling of the ankle as well as pain when moving are the result. Sometimes there is also a bluish discoloration of the foot. If such symptoms occur after twisting the ankle, a ligament strain or even a ligament tear may be the cause. We enlighten you about possible causes of a painful and swollen ankle and reveal how to behave properly after twisting your ankle.
Pain and swelling after twisting an ankle
If the foot twists, in most cases there is a so-called supination trauma. This means that the foot twists over the outside of the foot. This can result in stretching of the ligaments (ligament strain) or tearing of the ligaments (ligament tear). In some cases, however, the twisting of the ankle does not have any consequences. If a ligament injury is present, symptoms such as swelling and pain typically follow. The pain occurs primarily when moving the injured ankle. The swelling occurs because the tissue at the ankle is injured when you twist your ankle. This causes fluid to flow into the tissues and the ankle becomes thick.
Blue and thick ankle
Often, the ankle not only becomes thick after twisting, but also turns blue. This is always the case when there is bleeding into the tissue. Bleeding occurs on the one hand when blood vessels in the area of the ankle tear during twisting, but also when a ligament tears. In most cases, bruises on the ankle become visible relatively quickly because they are often located directly under the skin due to the limited space available. Whether and how much the ankle turns blue always depends on the location and severity of the injury.
Strained or torn ligaments
If pain and swelling occur after twisting the ankle, a ligament strain, a torn ligament or a torn ligament is usually the cause. These injuries are also often accompanied by an injury to the joint capsule (capsular tear). It is usually not apparent to the layperson what type of injury is present. For sure, only a doctor can give information about the type of injury. Nevertheless, there are some symptoms that tend to point to one or the other cause: for example, the swelling is often less in the case of a stretched ligament than in the case of a torn ligament. A lack of bruising can also indicate a ligament strain. Severe pain associated with a thickly swollen ankle, on the other hand, is more indicative of a torn ligament.
Foot twisted: First aid tips
If you have twisted your ankle, you should always apply the PECH rule first:
- P (rest): take it easy on the injured joint.
- E (ice): cool the injured joint with cold water or a cold pack.
- C (Compression): apply a compression bandage to prevent the joint from swelling too much.
- H (Elevate): elevate the injured joint.
Whether further treatment measures are necessary after twisting depends on the extent of the injury. If the swelling is moderate, hardly any pain and a low functional restriction of the ankle, the PECH rule is usually sufficient as therapy. Just give the twisted foot a few days off so the injury can heal.
In case of doubt to the orthopedist
If more severe symptoms occur, such as significant swelling or severe pain, you should always consult a doctor. This is also the case if the functionality of the joint is severely limited – for example, if you can hardly put any weight on the foot. The doctor can determine exactly what kind of injury is present and may recommend further therapeutic measures. For example, more severe ligament injuries are often treated with either an elastic bandage or a rigid plastic splint. This ensures that the injured ankle is kept as still as possible. In addition, ointments – for example with heparin – can be applied to ensure that the bruise recedes more quickly. Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving tablets can also be taken. In the case of minor injuries, you should start mobilizing the joint again about two to three days after the sprain. By moving the joint carefully, you can prevent later complications. It is best to have a physical therapist show you some suitable exercises. Severe ligament injuries require a longer rest period.It is best to talk to your doctor here about when mobilization is appropriate.
