When to see a doctor for a foot sprain

August 15, 2018 • • sports injuries
when to see doctor for foot sprain

A foot sprain or ankle sprain involves tearing of ligaments and other soft tissues inside a joint. Podiatrists diagnose sprains according to a standardized scale. Grade I foot and ankle injuries are mild and only cause minor stretching or microscopic tears of ligaments. Grade II foot sprains indicate ligaments have been partially torn, with stretching of ligaments more severe. If your podiatrist evaluates your sprain at a Grade III, this means ligaments have been completely torn. Similar to the condition of a broken foot, a Grade III foot or ankle sprain causes instability and weakness bad enough to prevent you from bearing weight on the foot.

When Foot Sprains Require Professional Treatment

In some cases, a lesser ankle or foot sprain resolves naturally after a few days of taking it easy on the affected foot. If the pain worsens and is accompanied by swelling, bruising, redness and weakness, you should visit your doctor for an examination as soon as possible. One or more of the following conditions may be exacerbating Grade I foot and ankle injuries:

Stress Fractures/Broken Foot

Your feet can easily suffer stress fractures from being overweight, overusing feet muscles or excessive jogging. Stress fractures (hairline fractures) are tiny cracks in the foot and ankle bones. Bones connecting the center of the foot to the toes called metatarsals frequently develop stress fractures. People playing sports who make abrupt twists and turns while running is at risk for fracturing metatarsals. While stress fractures do not prevent you from walking, they are painful. Alternately, a broken foot will noticeably swell, darken from bruising and make it nearly impossible to walk.

Peroneal Tendon Tears

Functioning as ankle stabilizers, peroneal tendons surround the outside of the ankles and help support the ankle joint and foot. These two tendons assist in ankle movement and are prone to injury when playing sports, jogging or otherwise being overused. In addition, ankles suffering previous sprains are susceptible to peroneal tendonitis. Symptoms of this injury include pain around the outside and back of the foot, tenderness and worsening pain with activity.

Extensor Tendonitis

Extensor tendons span the top of your foot and help straighten your toes. The most common kind of extensor tendonitis is tibialis anterior inflammation usually caused by overexertion, muscle tightness in calves and fallen foot arches. In addition, microscopic tears in these muscles can provoke painful spasms. Symptoms of extensor tendonitis include swelling, pain and an inability to lift your toes upwards.

Complications of an Untreated Foot Sprain or Ankle Sprain

Neglecting to visit your doctor for treatment of chronic foot and ankle pain could lead to impaired functioning and/or deformity of the foot, infections and other problems requiring extensive treatment or even surgery. Call either Alamitos Podiatry Group at (562) 203-6151 or Seal Beach Podiatry Group at (562) 242-1559 today to schedule an appointment for diagnosis and treatment of foot or ankle pain.

Request an Appointment

Fill out the form below to reach Alamitos – Seal Beach Podiatry Group, or call Los Alamitos: (562) 203-6151 or Seal Beach: (562) 242-1559 for immediate assistance.











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