Ankle Sprains and Treatment

QUESTION: I turned my ankle several weeks ago, and still suffer from some
pain. Why would a simple thing like a sprain take so long to heal and what
can I do to treat it?
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ANSWER: Ankle sprain is not always the simple thing folks take it to be.
When one of the ligaments that help form the ankle ruptures or tears, home
remedies may not be sufficient to get the patient back on the foot rapidly.
Sprains can be classified into three grades of seriousness. Grade 1 is where
there is no ligament tear, and there is mild tenderness and some swelling.
When there is a partial tear or rupture, and obvious swelling and
discoloration or difficulty in walking, it ranks as a Grade 2. When a
ligament is completely torn, and the ankle becomes unstable with the patient
unable to walk, it is classified as Grade 3. Care is graded as well. For the
case of Grade 1, elastic strapping or taping, elevation of the foot, followed
by gradual walking and exercise suffices. For Grade 2, a below the knee
walking cast immobilizing the ankle for three weeks is advised. Grade three
is of course the most difficult to treat, requiring casting and even surgery.
Arthrography, a special x-ray technique, is used when surgery is considered to
determine the exact state of the injury, and to help plan the surgical
procedure. However, this must be performed during the first days following
the injury to be of value. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
(NSAIDs) help reduce inflammation and control pain. In your case, it would
seem that an x-ray is in order to rule out any bony injury, and medical
consultation and advice about treatment is required. You have gone too long
to try home remedies now.