For those in the world of dance or athletes whose sports rely heavily on stops and starts, foot sprains are all too common occurrences.
A sprain is defined as the wrenching and/or partial or complete tearing of a ligament (the strong segment of fibrous tissues that joins bone or cartilage to the joint).
Those who sprain a foot experience a throbbing pain upon injury and should not resume activity until after treatment and recovery.
Types
Foot sprains come in three varieties ranging from the simple to serious conditions. The first type of sprain is labeled grade I and is a mild tearing of ligament fibers. This is the form of sprain most easily treated and recovered from. In this instance, the sufferer is able to bear weight on the foot but with some discomfort. This is a fast healing condition which rarely requires medical attention.
The second type of sprain is moderate in intensity and is referred to as grade II. In this sprain there is an actual tearing of the ligament resulting in a degree of function loss. It is best to seek medical attention if the pain is more than mild as a grade II injury may have occurred.
The third and most severe type of sprain is grade III. Here there is a complete ligament rupture causing the person to have severe pain and preventing him from bearing any weight on the foot. Medical attention should be sought right away in this type of instance.
Identification
The identification of a foot sprained is primarily based upon its symptoms. Typically with a sprain, the foot will swell and become tender shortly following the injury. There will also be pain and if the sprain is severe, the injured party will be unable to put weight on the foot. There may be bruising as well.
A sprain to the foot generally occurs in one of two principal areas. The first is the midfoot including the arch of the foot while the second is located at the big toe's base which is called the first metatarsophalangeal joint (an injury to this area is often referred to as "turf toe").
Sprains often occur in one of three ways: inversion, supination or pronation. Inversion is when a "rolling" of the foot occurs and forcefully pulls the ligaments to the point of tearing.
A supination injury is one in which the foot is forcefully moved so that the sole of the foot is jammed upward.
Pronation is a rotation of the foot in which the sole moves laterally causing the foot to move far inward causing a sprain.
Significance
Foot sprains like most other sprains are rarely significant injuries. Most are mild injuries that generally heal completely within two weeks without the benefit of professional medical care. Occasionally the sprain is more severe and requires a physician's attention.
In many cases an X-ray will be performed and in some cases a CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the foot may be recommended. Advanced scans are usually prescribed for patients who are serious athletes or dancers who are experiencing instability to the involved joint.
Prevention/Solution
Mild and moderate sprains are best treated using the RICE method which is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation. The person should rest for a couple of days and treat pain with acetaminophen or aspirin. In addition, ibuprofen may be taken to help relieve inflammation as well as pain.
Ice packs should be applied an hour on and two hours off for the first day and again on the second if there is continued swelling.
As for the "C" in the method, use a compression bandage placed snugly around the foot to stabilize and help with swelling and pain.
Finally, make sure to keep your foot elevated as much as possible for at least two days by propping it up on a comfortable surface.
Stay off the injured foot as much as possible. There is no way to completely prevent foot sprains but wearing appropriately-sized, sturdy footwear may help reduce the chances.
For those susceptible to these sprains should embark on a stretching and strengthening program to further reduce the chance of injuries.
Warning
Get medical treatment if significant pain from a foot sprain lasts more than two days. Although most sprains are not serious, occasionally there are incidences in which additional problems develop from a seemingly innocuous incident.
One of these possible complications is a fallen arch, where the area between the heel and toe which is typically arched shape flattens out both transversely and longitudinally. Chronic pain to the foot may also occur in rare situations. Surgery to fully repair the foot is called for in special circumstances.
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