Old Ankle Sprains Can Come Back to Haunt You Pain in your ankle or foot is not a normal part of the aging process, even if you’re just now trying to get back into shape. Persistent or recurrent swelling is a common symptom a previously-injured athlete may experience.

Grade 3: This is a complete tear of the affected ligament(s) with severe swelling and bruising. The ankle is unstable and walking is likely not possible because the ankle gives out and there is intense pain.

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.

Third degree or grade 3 ankle sprain A third degree sprain is a complete tear, which Sampsell says will take much longer to heal. This sprain will require some patience since you can expect anywhere from 3 to 6 months for recovery.

“An ankle sprain that lingers beyond 3 months is often an injury to a bone, tendon or ligament that is unlikely to heal without intervention,” he says. “And the longer an ankle injury persists without proper treatment, the greater the likelihood that permanent disability will result.”

Ina grade 2 sprain, the ligament is partially torn. It is difficult to walk. A grade 2 sprained ankle will result in significant swelling and bruising. It is possible, though not as likely, to need surgery for a grade 2 sprain, depending on the severity of the sprain.

Symptoms: Signs of a ligament rupture of the ankle joint After your ankle rolls, a sudden shooting pain typically occurs. Some report a crunching or cracking noise. The first signs of a ligament tear are severe swelling and bruising. In a low ankle sprain, the bruise can track into the foot and the toes.

Ligament damage often happens from a sports injury. A torn ligament severely limits knee movement. This results in the inability to pivot, turn, or twist the leg. Surgery is a choice to repair a torn ligament if other medical treatment is not effective.

Treatment. Almost all ankle sprains can be treated without surgery. Even a complete ligament tear can heal without surgical repair if it is immobilized appropriately.

In some cases, ligaments can be tightened and strengthened again by placing them back onto the bone in their anatomic position, possibly using a small anchor to attach the ligaments into the bone. When the ligaments are too weakened or destroyed to repair, your doctor may recommend ligament reconstruction.

RICE

1. Rest. Resting the ankle is key for healing, and wearing a brace can help stabilize the injured area.
2. Ice. Using an ice pack may reduce blood flow to the injury and help ease pain and swelling.
3. Compression. Compression helps stabilize the injured joint and may reduce swelling.
4. Elevation.

Mild, low-grade ankle sprains will usually heal in one to three weeks with proper rest and non-surgical care( such as applying ice). Moderate injuries may take between three and four weeks. Because of limited blood flow to the ligaments of the ankle, more severe injuries may take between three and six months to heal.

Symptoms

1. Pain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot.
2. Tenderness when you touch the ankle.
3. Swelling.
4. Bruising.
5. Restricted range of motion.
6. Instability in the ankle.
7. Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury.

X-rays do NOT show tendons, ligaments, nerves, cartilage or blood vessels.

Diagnosis. Your doctor will give you a physical exam. If your knee is very tense and swollen with blood, your doctor may use a needle to drain it. You may need X-rays to make sure you don’t have a broken bone, as well as an MRI to check on any ligament injuries.

A tear is the ripping of tissue in ligaments, muscles or tendons. “Typically, the worse a tear, the more inflammation and pain a person will experience, and the longer it will take for the injury to heal,” Mufich said.

Unlike an X-ray, which takes pictures of your bones, a knee MRI lets your doctor see your bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and even some blood vessels. The test can show a range of problems, including: Damaged cartilage. Torn tendons or ligaments.

Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and joints throughout the body. It is used to help diagnose sprains, strains, tears, trapped nerves, arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Ultrasound is safe, noninvasive, and does not use ionizing radiation.

Injured ligaments on MRI may appear disrupted, thickened, heterogeneous, or at tenuated in signal intensity, and may be ab normal in contour. Fluidsensitive sequences are often helpful in detecting injury.

The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is an important ligament that provides stability to the knee.