Dealing with a Foot Sprain

You’re enjoying a fun day at the beach, and your son asks you to play frisbee with him. As you run backward to make a great catch, the sand gives way, and your ankle twists painfully. At Goldsmith Podiatry, we know most of our Manhattan patients are familiar with ankle sprains, but it's also possible to sprain other parts of your foot often in conjunction with an ankle sprain. For this reason, it's always best to get a sprain evaluated by our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina Ruff, promptly so they can assess the full extent of an injury.

What’s a Foot Sprain?

A sprain refers to the overstretching of ligaments that connect bone to bone. So, any of the ligaments in your foot can suffer a sprain. Symptoms of a foot sprain include:

·        Pain, often in the middle of your foot

·        Redness

·        Bruising

·        Swelling

·        Difficulty standing or weight bearing on the affected foot

How Bad is It?

Foot sprains are categorized by the severity of the ligament damage.

Grade 1—Mild: The ligament has been stretched, and there is minor damage to some fibers.

Grade 2—Moderate: The ligament has suffered a partial tear, and the joints are relatively unstable.

Grade 3—Severe: The ligament is completely torn, and the entire foot is unstable.

If you felt a “snap” when you injured your foot or heard a popping sound, the injury may be moderate or severe.

Treatment Options

The initial treatment for a foot sprain is the same as an ankle sprain: RICE. That stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. However, getting the pain to subside is only the first part of recovery for a foot sprain. Range of motion, strengthening, and balance exercises are essential to rehabilitation. The severity of the sprain will dictate the timing and type of physical therapy and exercise needed.

You must complete the full rehabilitation that the foot doctor prescribes. Even after the pain is gone, the muscles surrounding the ligaments must be strengthened to support the ligaments and prevent future sprains.

If you believe you have a foot sprain, don’t wait. Contact our Upper West Side office by calling 212-877-1002 for an appointment. One of our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina Ruff, will evaluate your injury and determine the appropriate course of treatment.