Should I wear a boot for a torn ligament?
Your doctor might give you a cast, boot, or brace to wear. This will keep the ligaments and joint in place while they heal. It limits motion, provides protection, and helps reduce pain. You may need to wear it for 2 to 6 weeks.
Do you need a cast for a grade 3 ankle sprain?
Grade 3 sprains may require a short leg cast or cast-brace for 2 to 3 weeks. An air stirrup-type ankle brace.
Can you walk on a sprained ankle with a boot?
You may walk on your foot as pain allows. If you have been provided with a boot you should use this when mobilising. It is for comfort only and is not needed to aid healing. If you have not been given a boot, you should wear supportive footwear instead, such as trainers or walking boots.
What ankle injuries require a boot?
Patients recovering from an ankle sprain or fracture usually need to wear a walking boot. A walking boot helps with pain and mobility. If the ankle sprain is classified as grade II, meaning a ligament is partially torn, a higher walking boot may be needed.
Is a walking boot better than a cast?
Less skin damage – skin underneath a cast can become raw and painful. The open-air design and lightweight material helps to prevent skin damage when wearing a walking boot. No loud saws used – walking boots can be removed without the use of loud saws. This is helpful for children who may be afraid of the saws.
Why is my sprained ankle still swollen after 3 weeks?
Swelling. It’s normal for a sprained ankle to swell, sometimes for four to six weeks, or longer. But swelling that persists for more than three months may be a sign of trouble.
Can you fully recover from a grade 3 ankle sprain?
Grade 2 ankle sprains involve greater injury to the ligament and can take up 4-6 weeks to allow full return to sport. Grade 3 injuries are more severe in nature and often involve full tearing of the ligament and possible bone fracture. The length of time to recover from grade 3 ankle sprains could be 3 months or more.
Is a grade 3 sprain worse than a break?
Higher grade injuries can result in chronic joint instability and pain which may require surgical repair. A fracture is an injury to a bone when the tissue of the bone is broken. Many fractures will as strong as it was originally therefore, higher grade sprains can be worse than a fracture.
Should I wear walking boot at home?
You may walk on the foot as comfort allows but you may find it easier to walk on your heel in the early stages. If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash.
What is a Grade 3 ankle sprain?
A grade 3 ankle sprain is the most severe and serious of the 3 different grades of sprained ankle. It can mean significant tearing or possibly a complete rupture of the ligaments in the ankle.
What is a Grade 2 sprain?
Sprains are graded based on how much damage has occurred to the ligaments. If the doctor moves the ankle in certain ways, there is an abnormal looseness of the ankle joint If the doctor pulls or pushes on the ankle joint in certain movements, substantial instability occurs In a Grade 2 sprain, some but not all of the ligament fibers are torn.
Can a Grade 2 ankle sprain heal without surgery?
In a Grade 2 sprain, some but not all of the ligament fibers are torn. Moderate swelling and bruising above and below the ankle joint are common. Almost all ankle sprains can be treated without surgery. Even a complete ligament tear can heal without surgical repair if it is immobilized appropriately.
What is a lateral ligament ankle sprain?
A Lateral ligament ankle sprain occurs when the ankle rolls inwards or twists. Generally, your ankle twists during many activities such as walking or running on uneven surfaces, playing sport involving change of direction, or an unexpected fall. Usually, the more times you sprain your ankle, the more likely you’ll sprain it again.