injuries and poisoning
Ankle Sprains
Diagnosis of Ankle Sprains
A doctor's evaluation Sometimes x-rays to check for fractures Doctors ask how the injury occurred and do a physical examination. Doctors also move the ankle joint in various ways to determine how severe the sprain is. However, if a person has a lot of pain and swelling or muscle spasms, the examination is usually postponed until x-rays are done to check for fractures. To evaluate the ankle, doctors gently touch the ankle to determine where the pain is most intense. If touching the skin over a ligament causes intense pain, the ligament is probably torn. If touching the skin over a bone causes pain, the bone may be fractured. Swelling and spasms make evaluating the ankle difficult. In such cases, doctors may immobilize the joint with a splint and examine the joint again several days later. Doctors can usually diagnose sprains based on results of the examination. However, doctors sometimes take x-rays to check for a fracture when The ankle or foot is very painful in certain areas. People cannot bear weight without assistance, both immediately after the injury AND in the emergency department or doctor's office (for 4 steps), with or without limping Not every twisted ankle requires an x-ray. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be done to check for other injuries, particularly if the ankle is still painful after 6 weeks of treatment with protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation ( PRICE ). 