Ankle Sprains: Introduction

The common ankle sprain, not to be confused with a ligament strain, is the result of a partial tear or rupture of any one ligament of the ankle joint.

Ligaments are responsible for connecting bones as well as providing the range of motion for bones at a joint. The ankle joint which is formed by your lower leg bones, the tibia and the fibula, create a socket at your ankle where the talus bone sits.

Located on both sides of the ankle joint are the ligaments that bind the structure together and allow the joint to move freely. However, when ligaments are under tension their performance is limited and an excess of stress can cause a sprain.

People most commonly suffer ankle sprains when the foot becomes unstable and "rolls over" landing inward on the ground. This type of sprain is called an Inversion ankle sprain and it is the most common form while an Eversion ankle sprain, a rolling out of the ankle, occurs less frequently.

While the symptoms of an ankle sprain vary in degree depending on the severity of the sprain one can typically expect sharp and localized pain, inflammation, redness and an inability to put weight on the ankle, again depending on the severity of the sprain.

Judging the degree of your injury is the job of a doctor but typically ankle sprains are determined to be a Grade 1, 2 or 3; where a Grade 1 sprain involves stretching the ligament, Grade 2, a partial tear and Grade 3 which involves a complete tear of the ligament.

While there are other forms of the injury, such as a High ankle sprain, most injuries fortunately heal easily with conservative treatments including cold compression and ultrasound technology.

Ankle Injury Treatments

Allowing 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 Therapy

Doctors 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!

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Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound 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.

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Blood 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.

Or email us at service@MendMeShop.com