3 Mount Elizabeth, #08-05 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510 | Tel: +65 6733 4565 | Mobile: +65 9766 4565 | Email: clinic@orionortho.sg
66 East Coast Road, #07-01, The Flow Mall, Singapore 428778 | Tel: +65 8208 8038 | Mobile: +65 8208 8038 | Email: ortho@bfit.sg

Conditions

Ankle Sprains and ligament injuries

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How Do I Know If My Ankle Sprain Or Injury Is Serious?

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A sprained ankle occurs when you twist or roll your ankle awkwardly. This injury causes the ligaments which hold the ankle bones together to stretch or even tear. This may lead to ankle pain, swelling or even instability.

Ankle sprains should not be underestimated. Treatment for it depends on its severity. In mild cases, self-care with Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE) may be all that you need. However, in more severe cases, persistent pain and instability should be formally addressed by an orthopaedic surgeon
If you experience the following, we urge you to seek medical attention as soon as possible:

•    Ankle pain
•    Swelling
•    Ankle instability or recurrent (repeated) sprains
•    Ankle weakness
•    Difficulty walking on uneven ground

Symptoms and severity will vary from person to person.

The ankle is a weight-bearing joint. Minor injuries which are neglected can escalate into more serious problems. Timely and appropriate treatment are crucial to treat these injuries and get you back to your active lifestyles.

How can I prevent ankle sprains?

  • Warm up before exercise or sports
  • Avoid sports which you are not trained or conditioned in
  • Wear shoes that fit well and are appropriate for your activity
  • Use an ankle brace or guard to a previously weak ankle
  • Maintain good muscle strength and conditioning
  • Be aware when exercising on uneven ground

How Would My Ankle Be Examined, Diagnosed, And Treated?

Examination and assessment

•    Your orthopaedic surgeon will assess how you sustained the injury. You have landed awkwardly during basketball or simply rolled your ankle while stepping off a kerb. 
•    A thorough examination of your ankle will be performed. Any bruising or swelling around the ankle will be gently palpated to assess for pain. Your ankle will be moved gently to look for any instability. Both your ankles will be compared for completeness. 
 


Diagnosis
•    A simple x-ray of your ankle may be performed in serious cases to exclude any possible fractures.
•    In  cases of recurrent (repeated) ankle sprains with severe pain and swelling, an MRI scan of your ankle may be performed to look for partial or complete tears of your ankle ligaments.
 

Treatment
Treatment
•    Initial self-care is crucial for all forms of ankle sprains. Timely application of ice-packs, compression and elevation will help reduce ankle swelling. 
•    Medication such as anti-inflammatories are important to reduce the swelling and pain in your ankle joint. 
•    Devices such as ankle braces and ankle guards provide compression and stability to your ankle while you recover. In more severe cases, crutches may be required to off-load your ankle. 
•    After an initial period of rest, physiotherapy and rehabilitation are important in restoring the flexibility and stability of your ankle. 
•    In cases of persistent ankle pain with instability despite physiotherapy and rest, surgery may be warranted to repair or reconstruct a ligament that won’t heal. This will help restore the function of your ankle and return you to your active lifestyle. 

Ankle Surgery

•    If patients with known ligament tears experience persistent ankle pain and instability despite appropriate treatment, surgery may be required to restore their function.
•    Arthroscopic or keyhole surgery is performed to repair or reconstruct the torn ligament(s). This minimally invasive surgical technique accelerates recovery and reduces the risk of infection.
•    Anchor sutures are implants routinely used to reattach torn ligaments to their respective bones
•    Patients undergo surgery under general anaesthetic and typically spend a night in the hospital. They are discharged with crutches and a cast which they usually keep on for a month or so. 
•    Rehabilitation and physiotherapy after surgery may continue for about 6 weeks or so. This varies from person to person.

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Same-Day Appointments Available

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Prompt Examination And Diagnosis

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Minimally-Invasive & Non-Surgical Options

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Surgery Only When Necessary

How Are Ankle Treatments Performed?

Treatment 1

Ankle compression, icing and bracing

Treatment 2

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

Treatment 3

Surgery to repair or reconstruct a torn ligament

Treatment 1
After the initial ankle sprain, there is significant pain and swelling as the ankle ligaments are traumatised. Ankle compression and icing are crucial to prevent further swelling and worsening of the injury. Bracing provides additional support to the ankle where it is vulnerable and prevents recurrent ankle sprains. All these measures must be instituted timely to allow the ankle to heal and recover faster.
 
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Treatment 2
As the swelling around the ankle improves, physiotherapy and rehabilitation are required to restore the strength, flexibility and stability to the muscles and ligaments around the ankle. Our trained physiotherapists will institute a rehabilitation program that is characterised by customised and progressive training for you. Muscles which have weakened as a result of the injury will be strengthened through exercise, stretching and training. Stability and proprioception of your ankle will be restored using balancing exercises and specialised equipment. This will help you navigate uneven ground and stair climbing after your rehabilitation. These training exercises are crucial in preventing further injuries in future.
 
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Treatment 3
In severe ankle sprains, one or more ligaments that hold the ankle joint together may be partially or completely torn. Despite initial treatment with compression, icing and physiotherapy, patients may still experience pain, instability and loss of function. In these instances, surgery may be the appropriate treatment to repair or reconstruct torn ligaments and restore the stability of your ankle. A stable ankle will accelerate your recovery process as it helps prevent recurrent ankle injury and swelling. It allows you to embark on your rehabilitation with confidence and assurance.

How long will it take for my ankle to recover?

An ankle sprain or strain can take up to 2 or 3 months to recover. This depends on the severity of the initial injury and the type of treatment you receive. An ankle fracture may also take even up to 2 to 3 months to recover depending on whether it was treated in a cast or operated on. A timely assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon helps to initiate treatment sooner and get you on your way to recovery. 

Treatment for ankle sprains at Orion Orthopaedics is designed to accelerate your recovery with holistic and patient-centred care. Dr Mizan will work with you to ensure you return to your daily activities and favourite sports safely and timely.
 

FAQs About Ankle Sprain And Injuries

Is it alright to walk around with a sprained ankle?

This depends on the severity of the sprain and what sort of treatment has been rendered for the injury. Your doctor may advise you to only put minimal weight on your ankle while it is still recovering from the injury. Excessive walking may lead to more pain and swelling if the injury is stressed too early on. 

How do I know if my ankle sprain is serious?

The nature of the initial accident or injury will provide a good idea about how fast it may recover. A serious injury is characterised by severe pain, swelling and recurrent sprains despite efforts to support and treat it. If you are experiencing these 

Can I claim insurance for my ankle injury?

Ankle sprains and injuries are insurance claimable. We do advise our patients to check with their personal or corporate insurance plans and representatives. We are also able to help them with this if required. 

What should I do immediately after an ankle sprain while waiting for my appointment and treatment?

Timely self-care with rest, icing, compression and elevation is important to manage the initial pain and swelling around the ankle. Anti-inflammatory medication will further reduce the pain and swelling that you may be experiencing. 

I have more questions, how can I speak to a doctor?

Pls call us at +65 6733 4565 (during office hours), or drop us a text or WhatsApp message at +65 9766 4565. We will reply to your queries as soon as we get them. You may also call to make an appointment to see Dr Mizan for your ankle injury. 

Have more questions? WhatsApp us at +65 9766 4565.

With Over 10 Years of Orthopaedic Experience - Dr Mizan Marican

dr-mizan

Dr Mizan Marican

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

MBBS, MRCS, MMed, FRCS

Dr Mizan Marican is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in sports injuries as well as hip and knee surgeries. He is trained in the direct anterior approach (DAA) hip replacement surgery.

He is proficient in a wide spectrum of knee preservation techniques and knee replacement surgeries including partial and total knee replacements, as well as the use of navigated and robot-assisted techniques.

Over the years, Dr Mizan has amassed a wealth of surgical experience in a wide spectrum of conditions aimed at restoring a better quality of life and maintaining an active lifestyle for all his patients.

Read his full profile here.

Our Location

  • 3 Mount Elizabeth, #08-05 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510
  • +65 6733 4565
  • +65 9766 4565
  • Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm
    Sat 8:30am - 12:30pm
    Sun/Ph Closed

  • 66 East Coast Road, #07-01, The Flow Mall, Singapore 428778
  • +65 8208 8038
  • +65 8208 8038
  • Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:30pm
    Sat 9:00am - 12:30pm
    Sun/Ph Closed

Contact Form

Our Location

  • 3 Mount Elizabeth, #08-05 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510
  • +65 6733 4565
  • +65 9766 4565
  • Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm
    Sat 8:30am - 12:30pm
    Sun/Ph Closed

  • 66 East Coast Road, #07-01, The Flow Mall, Singapore 428778
  • +65 8208 8038
  • +65 8208 8038
  • Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:30pm
    Sat 9:00am - 12:30pm
    Sun/Ph Closed

Contact Form

FAQs About Ankle Sprain And Injuries

Is it alright to walk around with a sprained ankle?

This depends on the severity of the sprain and what sort of treatment has been rendered for the injury. Your doctor may advise you to only put minimal weight on your ankle while it is still recovering from the injury. Excessive walking may lead to more pain and swelling if the injury is stressed too early on.

How do I know if my ankle sprain is serious?

The nature of the initial accident or injury will provide a good idea about how fast it may recover. A serious injury is characterised by severe pain, swelling and recurrent sprains despite efforts to support and treat it. If you are experiencing these.

Can I claim insurance for my ankle injury?

Ankle sprains and injuries are insurance claimable. We do advise our patients to check with their personal or corporate insurance plans and representatives. We are also able to help them with this if required.

What should I do immediately after an ankle sprain while waiting for my appointment and treatment?

Timely self-care with rest, icing, compression and elevation are important to manage the initial pain and swelling around the ankle. Anti-inflammatory medication will further reduce the pain and swelling that you may be experiencing.

I have more questions, how can I speak to a doctor?

Pls call us at +65 6733 4565 (during office hours), or drop us a text or WhatsApp message at +65 9766 4565. We will reply to your queries as soon as we get them. You may also call to make an appointment to see Dr Mizan for your ankle injury.

Have more questions?

Our Location

  • 3 Mount Elizabeth, #08-05 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510
  • +65 6733 4565
  • +65 9766 4565
  • Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm
    Sat 8:30am - 12:30pm
    Sun/Ph Closed

Contact Form

Our Location

  • 3 Mount Elizabeth, #08-05 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510
  • +65 6733 4565
  • +65 9766 4565
  • Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm
    Sat 8:30am - 12:30pm
    Sun/Ph Closed

Contact Form