Patient education: Foot sprain (The Basics)

What causes a foot sprain? — A foot sprain happens when you move suddenly, or bend or twist your foot too far in 1 direction. Inside the foot are tough bands of tissue called ligaments, which hold the different bones together. During a sprain, 1 or more of those ligaments stretch too far or even tear (figure 1). This can cause pain and swelling.

What are the symptoms of a foot sprain? — The symptoms can include pain, tenderness, swelling, and bruising of the foot. Some people with a foot sprain also find it hard to bend the foot or walk. Also, some people cannot put weight on the injured foot.

Is there a test for a foot sprain? — A doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have a sprain by doing an exam and learning about what happened to your foot. They might bend and move your foot and ankle to see what hurts.

In some cases, a doctor might order an X-ray to check for broken bones, but that is not always needed. Some doctors might use an ultrasound to look at the ligaments. Ultrasound is an imaging test that creates pictures of the inside of the body.

How is a foot sprain treated? — Treatment for a sprained foot is easy to remember if you think of the word "PRICE":

●Protect – To protect your foot, the doctor might recommend a brace, splint, special type of shoe, or walking boot. If so, follow all instructions for using it. An elastic bandage can also protect your foot as it heals.

●Rest – To rest your foot, you can use crutches and stay off your feet. You might have to limit your activities and how much you walk or stand. This will help your foot rest while it heals.

●Ice – Apply a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on your foot every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Use the ice (or other cold object) for at least 6 hours after your injury. Some people find it helpful to ice longer, even up to 2 days after their injury.

●Compression – "Compression" basically means pressure. You want to have your foot under slight pressure by having it wrapped in an elastic bandage. This helps reduce swelling and supports the foot. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to wrap your foot. Be careful not to wrap it too tight, as this could cut off the blood flow to your foot.

●Elevation – "Elevation" means keeping your foot raised up above the level of your heart. To do this, you can put your leg on some pillows or blankets while you are lying down, or on a table or chair while you are sitting.

You can also take medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

Your swelling and pain might start to improve in a few days to weeks, depending on how severe the sprain is. When you have less swelling and pain, you can start to gently stretch your foot. You can also start to do gentle activities again.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go. Your doctor might recommend working with a physical therapist (exercise expert). If the injury is not healing as expected, your doctor might order an X-ray to look for a broken bone.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●Your pain or swelling is getting worse.

●Your foot or toes are blue or gray, and numb.

●You can't put weight on your foot.

●Your ankle is not stable or feels wobbly.

More on this topic

Patient education: How to use crutches (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a splint (The Basics)
Patient education: Ankle sprain (The Basics)