Treatment for Ankle Sprains in St. Joseph and Kansas City, MO
A simple misstep can lead to a sprain. Your risk is even higher if you're an athlete or dancer. At Pivotal Foot & Ankle Surgeons, with locations in St. Joseph and Kansas City, MO, also serving Parkville and Platte, our doctors provide care for ankle sprains. The practitioners there, Dr. Russell Grimes, Dr. Ross Bartley, and Dr. Tyler Sten can determine if you have a sprain and find the appropriate treatment.
Signs You Have a Sprain
A sprain occurs when you have a ligament that is either torn or overstretched, either from moving it too far or much. In more serious cases, you may hear a pop as the injury happens.
Other potential symptoms of an ankle sprain include:
- Instability
- Trouble bearing weight
- Decreased range of motion
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Continuous pain
Diagnosing an Ankle Sprain
The first step to diagnosing a sprain is to ask you questions about the severity of your pain as well as when it began. One of our podiatrists will look at the affected ankle and check for bruising, swelling, or other signs of a sprain.
Sometimes we can diagnose a sprain without the need for any type of imaging. However, we may recommend either an X-ray, an MRI, or CT scan to confirm our suspicions, rule out other potential injuries, or assess the severity of your condition.
Treating the Injury
Once we determine you have a sprain as well as its severity, which we rate on a scale of grades one through three, we'll give you a treatment tailored to you to optimize your recovery.
In the more minor cases, one of our doctors may recommend conservative measures to help you heal from your injury. For instance, you'll need to rest your ankle for a bit. Even after you start to heal, you'll still need to take it easy to avoid exasperating your injury. We may also recommend you use ice because ice will relieve swelling. Compression and elevation will also be part of the process. A brace, boot, or splint may be recommended to provide joint support. If you're struggling to walk, we'll fit you for crutches to reduce some of the pressure you're putting on the injury. In the more severe cases, you may need surgery to repair the tissue.
Find a Podiatrist Near You Today
If you have signs of a sprain, contact Pivotal Foot & Ankle Surgeons to see Dr. Grimes, Dr. Bartley, or Dr. Sten in St. Joseph or Kansas City, MO, serving Parkville, Platte, and the surrounding areas. No matter which location you visit, we can help your injury heal and prevent any complications. Call us today at (816) 364-2338..