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Types of SprainsGrade 1, 2 and 3Ligaments stabilize joints during motion and rest as well as limit directional movement. When a joint, such as the ankle, moves too forcefully in a direction not allowed by the ligaments there is great risk of injury. The degree of the injury depends on the severity of the trauma sustained by the ankle ligaments. In most cases an ankle sprain does not warrant a trip to the doctor but it may become necessary if the symptoms do not diminish. Furthermore, a proper diagnosis of a grade 1, 2 or 3 sprain will allow for a more tailored treatment program. 
A grade one sprain, which is the mildest and most common, consists of minimal pain and swelling around the ankle and is a result of the ligaments being stretched without tearing the dense fibers of the ligament. Second-degree sprains involve minor tearing of the ligament without complete rupture and because of the torn tissues and blood vessels there is more swelling from the excess blood. Third-degree sprains are the most traumatic and painful with a complete rupturing of the ligament. There will be severe inflammation and potential for bruising around the area and depending on the cause of the injury, the ankle may look twisted in more serious cases. Putting weight on the ankle will be very painful, and if this is the case you should see your doctor immediately and try not to put any pressure of any kind on the injured ankle. A third-degree sprain requires extensive rehabilitation and may include surgery. Inversion Sprain
Inversion ankle sprains, the most common sprain, occurs when the foot rolls over onto the lateral side, in an inward motion. This motion puts added stress on the ligaments of the outer ankle and often this stress proves to be too much and you will suffer a sprain. Pain is always felt on the outside of the ankle, simply because that is where the injury has occured. There are three ligaments, the anterior and posterior talofibular ligaments and the calcanefibular ligament, that make up the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) on the outside of the ankle; these are the ligament(s) that are stretched or torn during an inversion sprain. 
Eversion SprainEversion ankle sprains occur much less frequently than inversion injuries. While eversion sprains do occur it is just much more difficult to twist your foot outwardly when taking part in regular and sports related activities. Eversion sprains involve the ligament on the inside of the ankle, known as the deltoid ligament. High Ankle SprainA "high" ankle sprain, also known as syndesmotic sprain, is an inury to the syndesmotic ligament that joins the tibia and fibula bones of the lower leg. The distinction exists because a "high" ankle sprain occurs above the ankle joint and is more severe than a sprain of the joint ligaments. 
"High" ankle sprains typically occur when the foot is forced upward and outwardly. Syndesmotic sprains are also subject to degrees of trauma but they may effect activity differently than joint sprains especially when it comes to putting weight on the ankle. Severe sprains, such as serious second degree and third degree sprains of the syndesmotic ligament, may allow for the bottoms of the tibia and the fibula to spread apart which is called diastasis. Sprains of this type are serious in terms of rehabilitation time but can usually be treated similarly to typical ankle sprains. With regard to surgery it will depend on the stability of the injured ankle and whether or not diastasis is present. Ankle Injury TreatmentsAllowing your ankle to rest is always recommended when you are suffering from a sprain, fracture, tendinitis, bursitis or other ankle injury. During your recovery, you will probably have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort in your ankle until the pain and inflammation settle. Fortunately, there are healing tools that can help treat your ankle injury to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation while speeding up the healing process so you can get back to a life without pain and risk of further injury. Cold Compression TherapyDoctors recommend using cold compression as soon as possible following an ankle injury, like a sprain, and after any re-injury. This will reduce pain and swelling and minimize tissue damage that occurs with soft tissue injuries like tendon tears and tendinitis.  The Ankle/Achilles Freezie Wrap® treats pain and swelling in an effective and convenient way. The wrap is adjustable which allows you to control the compression to a level that is comfortable for you and the gel packs are chilled in the fridge not the freezer. This eliminates the risk of cryoburn, or 'cold burns', on your skin that can be cause by ice and strandard freezer gel packs. With ColdCure Technology® Technology of our uniquely designed gel packs, you can also wear the Freezie Wrap® for longer treatments so you can enjoy even more relief from your ankle pain!  Cold Compression Therapy works by interrupting and slowing nerve and cell function in the injured area and reducing swelling that can block blood vessels. This is important because once blood vessels are blocked or damaged, they can no longer carry oxygenated blood through your ankle ligaments and tendons and tissue cells begin to break-down. Without cold compression therapy cellular break-down and tissue damage continues as the cells do not get the oxygen they need to survive. By limiting the amount of damage, you also limit the amount of healing that needs to occur. This is a very important step to heal your ankle faster and with less pain! The deep cooling effect provided by the Ankle/Achilles Freezie Wrap® gives you the fast, effective relief your sore ankle has been looking for! Click Here to learn more about Freezie Wrap® ColdCure Technology®Ultrasound TherapyUltrasound therapy is the most effective and pain-free way to reduce inflammation, soften scar tissue and promote faster healing of your ankle tendons.  During the healing process, scar tissue builds on your tendons and can attach them to other tissue in the area. This limits the flexibility and movement of the tendons and other tissue in your foot and increases the amount of pain you will experience. Fortunately, you can treat your scar tissue with therapeutic ultrasound to improve the elasticity and flexibility of your tendons. Not only does ultrasound reduce inflammation, soften scar tissue and speed up the healing process, it also helps to prevent long term complications. Pain, lack of mobility, arthritis, tendinosis, or a complete tendon tear are some of the more common long term complications that can occur when an ankle injury goes untreated. With ultrasound therapy, scar tissue becomes softer and the tissue becomes stronger reducing the risk of chronic problems in the future. For those who suffer from chronic tendonitis or repetitive strains, ultrasound can help. Ultrasound therapy can help to break up scar and fibrous tissue that has built up over time and restore elasticity to the tissue and flexibility in your ankle joint.  Ultrasound can also be used to administer therapeutic medicines into the body. This is a process known as phonophoresis. Ultrasound with phonophoresis is rapidly becoming more popular than ultrasound therapy alone. Using the MendMeShop® Lavender Infusion Gel during your ultrasound therapy gives you 2 therapies in 1. You get the benefit of the regenerating sound waves from the ultrasound device itself AND the added bonus of the therapeutic ingredients inside the gel being delivered into the tissue where it is most effective. MendMeShop®Lavender Infusion Ultrasound Gel contains the natural essential oils of Bulgarian lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and menthol and is exclusively available from MendMeShop®. These ingredients reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation to your injured tendons. 1 bottle of MendMeShop® Lavender Infusion Ultrasound Gel comes FREE with every MendMeShop® Ultrasound System so you get unbeatable ultrasound therapy for your injured ankle ligaments and tendons. MendMeShop® Ultrasound System with phonophoresis is safe, convenient, and easy and requires between 5 - 10 minutes per treatment. It is based on a form of deep tissue therapy, which is generated through high frequency sound waves (that we can not hear). These waves send vibrations deep into your soft tissue cells. The waves are delivered through a hand held transducer and conductive gel that are used together in a slow, circular motion over your injured ankle. Click Here to learn more about Ultrasound TherapyBlood Flow Stimulation Therapy™Once inflammation has been reduced, nourishing and strengthening the tendon or ligament tissue and surrounding area is recommended.  Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™, or BFST®, will speed your recovery and heal your ankle more completely preparing them for strengthening exercises. BFST® increases the amount of blood that flows naturally to your ankle to nourish your tendons and ligaments, improving elasticity and accelerating the healing process. Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ treatments increase your body's natural healing power. In addition, the fresh blood flow whisks away dead cells and toxins that have built up from tendonitis and tissue damage leaving the area clean and able to heal faster. Our Ankle/Achilles Inferno Wrap® provides effective, non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief and healing with no side effects. Continued use of BFST® even after your ankle has healed will help to maintain the health of the ligaments and tendons in your ankle and prepare them for any activities you enjoy. Click Here to learn more about how Inferno Wrap® BFST® works With these 3 easy therapies you will notice incredible improvement in your ankle. You will have less pain and stronger tendons to get yourself back on your feet again. The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results! NOTE: We recommend that you consult your doctor and/or physiotherapist before using any of our outstanding products, to make sure they're right for you and your condition. Please be aware that this information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
| Dear MendMeShop, I had tendonitis on my right arm that kept me from doing simple task,even lifting a single plate is painful. I have no idea why I have this, perhaps I overused my right arm or related to my rotator cuff injury two years ago. I have taken so many pain medications (motrin, celebrex, etc.) but the pain kept coming back. I went to the doctor and had cortisone shots and I was pain free for three months. One day I was mopping the floor and I heard my elbow popped and the pain started again. I didn't want another cortisone shot because the shot itself was really painful. Then I remember when I used to go for physical therapy on my right shoulder injury (rotator cuff) and this ultrasound device was used on me several times two years ago. I remember feeling so relieved after every session and I wonder whether I could have one for myself. I started looking for this device on the internet and found MendMeShop.com. At first I was hesitant to buy it because it was expensive then my arm got worse and I checked back on your website and found it on sale. After two weeks of using it, my arm has improved a lot. I can do my normal tasks again without feeling so much pain. I own a small Asian grocery store and my customers have noticed that I don't wrap my right arm anymore and I tell them about this device and how it had helped me a lot. I recommend it to my friends, family and customers. Rating: Carina Madrinan         |
