Fact Checked
Overview
A sprained foot is more widespread than fractures and breaks. Any slight injuries to the foot can result in a sprain. A sprain is damage to the joint that results in a tendon which gets twisted or stretched too far. It is vital to know the first aid procedure for a sprained foot and how to avoid the injury from occurring.
Defining A Foot Sprain
A foot sprain is a split or when the ligaments are stretched too far that joins the bones to a joint. There are three types of sprain injuries.
- Type 1 is mild, and results in tiny tears or overstretching the ligaments.
- Type 2 sprains occur when the tendons are partially torn, and the stretching is more brutal.
- Type 3 sprains are the harshest and take place when the ligaments are fully torn, and the foot can’t handle any force making standing painful. Foot sprains regularly occur in the midfoot.
Foot Sprain Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of a foot sprain is usually easy to identify.
- Your midfoot region will be inflamed with a midfoot sprain.
- There might or might not be bruising to the affected region.
- With more extreme sprains, you might not be able to shift your foot or place any force on it.
- If the sprain happens to the toe region, the bottom of your big toe will be tender, inflamed, and probably bruised.
How Is a Foot Sprain Treated?
- Rest is the best way to deal with mild foot sprains, especially by elevating the foot, applying ice to decrease inflammation and pain, and an elastic dressing.
- OTC medication can assist with the pain.
- Severe sprains, like the ones that sports people and dancers often get, which might require total rest till the pain and inflammation subsides.
- A cast can be positioned on the foot for quicker treatment for those whose work depends on their feet.
- Moderate physiotherapy methods and stretches can also be used once the foot starts to heal properly.
- Sprains in the toe region might need a splint to keep the toe straight as it starts to heal.
- It can take weeks and even months for a sprain to heal, which depends on how severe the damage was.