Ankle sprains often occur while playing sports or even during everyday activities. They can range from mild to severe and are classified into grades 1 to 3 depending on the extent of damage. Although most sprains are mild and can heal within a few weeks, some injuries can be more serious and may cause long-term damage if not treated properly.
ANF Therapy®️ is the newest treatment for ankle sprains. It is an advanced frequency-based treatment that uses frequency-charged wearable devices to activate the body’s natural healing process. It aims to treat various health conditions and injuries without using medications or surgery.
Ankle sprains are often referred to as grade 3 ankle sprains. But how can you tell if your ankle sprain is more severe? Let’s explore four signs that indicate your sprain may be more serious.
Four signs an ankle sprain is bad:
A severe ankle sprain can affect your ability to move and carry out daily tasks. If you’re experiencing any of these four signs, it could mean your sprain is more than just a minor injury:
1. Intense pain and tenderness
Pain is the most common symptom of an ankle sprain. In mild cases, it’s often manageable and alleviated with treatments like rest or ice. However, in severe sprains, this pain could be sharp, intense, and persistent. Plus, the pain worsens with weight-bearing activities like walking or standing or even with minimal movements. This may be an indicator of ligament damage.
In addition, the pain is often accompanied by tenderness, which is a sign of severe ankle sprain. If your ankle feels tender when touching, it may suggest a complete ligament tear. In such cases, prompt medical attention is required to prevent further damage.
2. Swelling and bruising
Another common symptom of an ankle sprain is swelling and bruising. These symptoms often appear right after the injury but may vary in severity depending on the damage. In mild cases, there is minimal swelling and bruising. However, in case of a severe sprain, you may see noticeable swelling and bruising. This swelling occurs due to inflammatory responses and fluid accumulation around the injured area. Plus, it often radiates to the foot and lower leg, indicating your ankle sprain is bad.
Additionally, bruising also appears after the severe injury and darkens over time. This occurs due to the leakage of torn blood vessels beneath the skin, which results in visible discolouration. Severe swelling and bruising are strong indicators that your ligament is completely torn.
3. Limited range of motion
When your ankle sprain is bad, you may also feel a limited range of motion. In a mild sprain, people may still be able to move their ankles slightly, albeit with pain. However, if the injury is severe, the pain is so intense that it limits the ability to move the ankle at all. Sometimes, even trying to move your foot becomes difficult. This limited mobility may be attributed to ligament tear.
When a ligament is torn or stretched, it affects the normal joint’s function. As a result, you are unable to move, and over time, your surrounding muscles become weak and stiff. This further adds to pain, leading to limited movement, which, in turn, affects your daily activities.
4. Instability and feeling of “giving out”
Another sign that an ankle sprain is bad is a feeling of instability or the sensation that your ankle might “give out” while standing or walking. When a ligament is completely torn, it results in a loss of stability in the ankle joint. As a result, the joint is no longer able to support the body’s weight properly. This leads to weakness and the feeling that the ankle could collapse.
Consequently, it becomes difficult to walk or even stand for longer periods. In some cases, people may hear popping or snapping sounds when trying to move the ankle, which often indicates a torn ligament or misaligned bones. This sensation of instability further increases the risk of falls, further injury, and long-term joint damage.
Treatment of Ankle Sprain with ANF Therapy®️:
ANF Therapy®️ is the newest treatment for ankle sprains. It is designed to target the root causes of pain and inflammation by optimising the body’s neurological frequencies. This non-invasive treatment utilises specially designed ANF Devices, which are applied to specific parts of the body, aiming to restore proper neural function and improve biochemical balance. Many patients experience significant improvement in symptoms from the first session, making it an effective option for those seeking a holistic, drug-free solution for managing ankle sprains.
Your ANF Therapists take a comprehensive approach to your ankle sprain. The treatment of ankle sprain involves the following steps:
History
Your ANF Therapists will take a detailed history regarding your ankle sprain. The history includes:
- What are your presenting complaints?
- Which ankle is affected? (left or right)
- What is the nature of the pain? (sharp, dull, throbbing)
- Did the pain occur immediately after the injury?
- Is there any swelling or bruising present?
- Does the pain radiate to your foot or toes?
- Is your range of motion affected?
- Do you have any history of previous injuries to the ankle?
- What activities were you engaged in when the injury occurred?
Physical Examination
During the physical examination, your ANF Therapists will thoroughly inspect for any visible swelling, deformity, and asymmetry in the ankle and surrounding areas. After inspection, they will perform palpation to check for tenderness, warmth, or swelling around the joint.
Specific physical tests are also performed to diagnose the severity and type of ankle sprain. These include:
Anterior Drawer Test
The Anterior Drawer Test is performed to assess the integrity of the ankle’s anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). In this test, the examiner stabilises the lower leg and pulls the heel forward. Excessive forward movement of the heel compared to the unaffected ankle indicates a possible ligament tear.
Talar Tilt Test
The Talar Tilt Test evaluates the lateral ligaments of the ankle, particularly the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). The therapist inverts the ankle while stabilising the tibia. Increased tilt compared to the healthy side suggests ligament laxity or tear.
Squeeze Test
The Squeeze Test is used to detect syndesmotic injuries (high ankle sprains). The therapist compresses the tibia and fibula together just above the ankle joint. Pain or discomfort during this manoeuvre indicates potential injury to the syndesmotic ligaments.
Neurological Examination
During a neurological examination, your ANF Therapists will assess the sensory and motor innervation from your ankle joint to your foot and toes. They will also evaluate your reflexes, such as the Achilles reflex, to check your neurological response and ensure there are no nerve impairments associated with the sprain.
Application of ANF Devices
After a thorough clinical examination, your ANF Therapist will create a personalised treatment protocol for you. Based on the findings, they will apply ANF Devices to specific areas of your body. These include anti-inflammatory, energy, nitric oxide, and antioxidant devices designed to address the underlying issues.
These devices are meant to reduce inflammation in your body and neutralise free radicals, which are known to worsen inflammation. This approach aims to promote faster recovery and help restore optimal body function without medications, needles, or supplements.
Start your journey with ANF Therapy®️:
ANF Therapy®️ is the newest treatment for managing injuries like ankle sprain. If you have an ankle sprain, consult an ANF Practitioner or find an ANF Therapist at https://www.anftherapy.com/find-clinic/ to start your treatment with ANF Therapy®️ today!
If you’re a healthcare practitioner and want to enhance your clinical skills with frequency medicine, learn more about the ANF Therapy®️ and ANF Clinical education program by visiting www.anfacademy.com.
