What is an ankle sprain?

A sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you twist your ankle causing intense pain indicating damage to one or more structures in the ankle joint.

What is the importance of ligaments at ankle joints?

Ligaments are band and strap-like structures that hold various bones of ankle joints together and provide stability. 

What are the symptoms of a sprained ankle?

Symptoms may include:

• Pain (especially when you put weight on the affected ankle)
• Tenderness (pain while pressing or touching on affected ankle)
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Stiffness 
• Instability

What are the causes of ankle sprain?

• A fall
• Wrong landing on your foot after jumping
• Twisting of ankle while walking or exercising on an uneven surface
• Collision with another person during sports
• Stumbling upon an obstacle

What are the risk factors for ankle sprain?

• Improper footwear
• Lack of strength in foot muscles
• Overweight 
• Previous ankle sprain

What are the investigations that help define ankle sprain?

• Investigations such as X-rays will help to rule out any fracture associated with injury.
• MRI will help to rule out any damage to any ligament, tendon muscle, or hairline fracture to bone tissues during ankle sprain.

What are the complications of ankle sprain?

• Chronic pain 
• Chronic instability
• Lack of confidence
• Change in gait leading
• Knee pain

What things can be tried for prevention?

• Maintain good muscle strength and flexibility.
• Practice stability training, including balance exercises.
• Reduce body weight if you are overnight for a particular sport or activity. 
• Maintain a habit of warming up before you exercise or do
• Practice mindfulness when walking or running on an uneven surface.
• Wear well-fitting shoes with enough space for toes.
• Avoid using high-heeled shoes. 
• Maintain a habit of barefoot exercises.

What treatment is provided for ankle sprain at BILD Exercise Clinic?

One or more of the following modalities can be incorporated into your treatment plan.

• COLDTUB cold water immersion
• Mobilization
• Support
• Exercises for strength
• Exercises for stability and balancing 
• Exercises for mobility 

What happens during consultation at BILD Exercise Clinic?

• The doctor will examine the patient.
• A detailed history regarding the onset and progression of the disease will be noted.
• A record of previous treatments tried will be noted.
• Previous reports (if any) such as X-rays, and MRIs will also be seen and discussed.

What questions to expect from your doctor

Doctor may ask some of the following questions:

• Where exactly does it hurt?
• Since when have you had this problem?
• What was the trigger or nature of injury (if applicable) for the beginning of pain
• How would you describe the pain — dull, sharp, burning?
• What are the previous treatment modalities tried by you?
• What makes the pain worse? What makes the pain better?
• How does the pain affect your sleep and quality of life?

How to prepare for your consultation with the doctor?

• Wear comfortable clothes.
• Don’t consume painkillers (at least 12 hours before) while coming for consultation. Painkillers mask the symptoms and interfere with understanding of symptoms.
• Bring all the previous reports, investigations, and medication prescriptions (if any). It is NOT necessary to have investigations or tests to be done before.
• Write down all your questions on paper or on a mobile phone that you want to ask the doctor.
• It is always useful to bring a companion with you during consultation.

Is it necessary to have any investigations done before coming for consultation at the BILD Exercise Clinic?

• No, it is not compulsory.
• If you have already done any investigations related to ankle problems then you can bring the reports with you.

What are the goals of the exercise treatment at BILD Exercise Clinic?

• Decrease joint pain and stiffness.
• Improve joint stability and muscle strength.
• Delay or reverse further progression of symptoms.
• Improve joint mobility and function.
• Improve the quality of life for the ankle joint.

As with any medical or exercise intervention the outcome varies from patient to patient.

Which technology might be used (as per the need) at BILD Exercise Clinic?

• Strength training equipment (MATRIX, USA, and others)
• Anti-gravity treadmill (NASA, USA)
• COLDTUB (USA)
• Robotic Isokinetic Strength Training machine (KINEO, ITALY)
• Balance stimulating equipment
• Resistance bands
• Weight sled
• Cardio equipment such as cycle, elliptical, versa climber, Jacobs ladder, etc.

The selection of technology and exercise protocol is determined by the doctor.

What kind of treatment is NOT offered at BILD Exercise Clinic?

• Painkillers or Anti-inflammatory medications
• Vitamin supplements
• Ointments and creams of any kind
• Any other pharmacological/drug treatment
• Hormonal Therapy or injectables of any kind
• Intra-joint injections of any kind
• Surgery of any kind

How to reach BILD Exercise Clinic OPD at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital?

• Reach the Super Speciality Building (SS building/new building) lobby/main entrance before time. Wheelchairs are available in the lobby and parking for needy patients. Click here for the Google map location of BILD Exercise Clinic.
• Parking is available based on availability. You can prefer public transport such as bus, auto-rickshaw, cab or taxi.
• If you are not registered as a patient and appearing for the first time as a patient at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital then try to come at least 15 minutes before the appointment time to complete the simple registration process at the ground floor reception of the super specialty building.
• Get an OPD entry pass (for patients) and an attendant pass at the ground-floor reception.
• Choose appropriate lifts (life no.1,2,3 ) at the ground floor to reach BILD Exercise Clinic OPD on the 11th floor.
• Depending upon patient numbers some waiting period is expected. Comfortable sitting, clean drinking water, a book reading section, clean toilets, changing rooms, and a cafeteria (on the ground floor and seventh floor) are available at your service.