What to do if your sprained ankle still hurts after 6 months

It’s probably true that you or someone you know have sprained their ankle at some point. Of the variety of musculoskeletal injuries that exist, acute ankle sprains are one of the most common. It’s estimated that in the U.S., around 2 million people experience ankle sprains in a year. 

Sprains are a type of injury that occurs when a ligament has become torn or stretched beyond its capacity. When they occur in the ankle, this simply means that a ligament in the ankle has torn or been stretched too far. Despite the commonality of ankle sprains, it’s not as common to experience pain from one six months after the injury occurred. If you’re someone who sprained their ankle and has ankle pain six months after their injury first occurred, you’ll want to read here. Take a look at some of the reasons why your ankle might still be hurting and how to treat it.

What are the symptoms of a sprained ankle?

• Pain with walking or weight bearing.
• Pain when touched or handled.
• Swelling and inflammation.
• Limited mobility.
• Popping noises upon initial injury.
• Bruising or discoloration.

What are the causes of a sprained ankle?

• Falling on your ankle — One of the ways someone might sustain an ankle sprain is by falling on their ankle in an unnatural position or perhaps jumping and landing on the ankle with excessive force.
• Twisting your ankle — Another way to sprain your ankle is by twisting it in an abnormal position. 
• Walking on uneven ground — Some people experience ankle sprains after walking on uneven ground, like a sidewalk or a yard with holes.

There are several different kinds of events that could lead to your ankle being sprained, but generally, all it takes is an awkward, forceful movement that stretches or tears your ligaments.

Why might a sprained ankle hurt after 6 months?

• You didn’t allow it to fully heal before using it again.
• You might have a buildup of scar tissue.
• You might have a compressed or pinched nerve.
• You might be prone to chronic ankle sprains.
• You may have not gotten the treatment you needed in the beginning.
• You might be dealing with a fracture or a more serious injury that should be addressed.

What are some of the treatments available for those who have a sprained ankle that still hurts after 6 months?

• Physical therapy — Physical therapy is one of the treatment options that can benefit someone with a sprained ankle. A PT specialist can help a patient struggling with a sprained ankle by reducing inflammation, specifically. They’ll also work to build strength around the ankle, correct any changes in your gait that may cause further problems, and improve your ankle’s range of motion. A PT specialist will do this all within your pain threshold so that you’re not going through any more pain than your sprained ankle is already causing.
• Anti-inflammatory medication — Anti-inflammatory medication may reduce some of the inflammation that has built up in your ankle after your injury. It may be that your sprained ankle is not getting much better  because of inflammation that won’t go down. These medications may help with that and would help temporarily reduce pain in your ankle, too.
• Rest — If you have a sprained ankle that still hurts six months after your injury first occurred, it may be because you haven’t given it a proper amount of time to heal. Sometimes, when we don’t give an injury the time it needs to fully heal, it may become problematic months after the fact and become easily aggravated.
• Surgery — Surgery may be necessary in some extreme cases when the sprained ankle isn’t responding to more conservative treatment methods. However, it’s generally not recommended in the case of sprained ankles. It’s also worth noting that surgery may help with sprained ankle symptoms for some people, but it’s not guaranteed to bring positive results and could even result in complications.

Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch PT for a sprained ankle that still hurts after 6 months

At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. 

Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you address a sprained ankle that still hurts after six months. If you’re dealing with a sprained ankle and seeing little to no improvement, physical therapy can help. Regular sessions with a compassionate, licensed physical therapist could have you start seeing positive changes in relatively no time. 

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!