Foot Sprain

What is a foot sprain?

A foot sprain is an injury that causes a stretch or tear in one or more ligaments in the foot. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to bones.

How does it occur?

A foot sprain occurs by twisting or bending the foot. This can happen if you stumble on an uneven surface, land awkwardly from a jump, or from kicking an object that doesn't move easily.

What are the symptoms?

Pain, swelling, and tenderness in the foot. You may have difficulty walking.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will review your symptoms, ask how you injured your foot, and examine you. Your provider may want to get an X-ray of your foot. The X-ray will be normal if you have a sprain.

How is it treated?

To treat this condition:

• Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables, wrapped in a cloth on the area every 3 to 4 hours, for up to 20 minutes at a time.
• Raise your foot on a pillow when you sit or lie down.
• Use an elastic bandage around your foot as directed by your provider.
• Use crutches until you can walk without pain.
• Take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, or other medicine as directed by your provider. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, do not take for more than 10 days.
• Follow your provider’s instructions for doing exercises to help you recover.

How long will the effects last?

The length of recovery depends on many factors such as your age, health, and if you have had a previous foot injury. Recovery time also depends on the severity of the sprain. A mild foot sprain may recover within a few weeks, whereas a severe foot sprain may take 6 weeks or longer to recover.

When can I return to my normal activities?

Everyone recovers from an injury at a different rate. Return to your activity depends on how soon your foot recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury has occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better. The goal of rehabilitation is to return to your normal activities as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury.

You may safely return to your normal activities when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true:

• You have full range of motion in the injured foot compared to the uninjured foot.
• You have full strength of the injured foot compared to the uninjured foot.
• You can walk straight ahead without pain or limping.

How can I prevent a foot sprain?

Unfortunately, most foot sprains occur during accidents that are not preventable. However, it is important to wear proper fitting footwear and to avoid running or playing on uneven surfaces.