Ankle Sprains vs Ankle Strains

When you work out regularly you are likely to experience ankle pain eventually. Rolling your ankle during physical activity is common and can cause ankle sprains and strains. Many people don’t know the difference between the two which are vastly different.


A sprain is when there is a stretch or tear of a ligament that stabilizes and supports your body’s joints. The cause of an ankle sprain is direct or indirect trauma that knocks the joint out of position. Symptoms of an ankle sprain includes pain, bruising, swelling, and inflammation.


An ankle strain is when an injury of a muscle or tendon occurs. Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attaches your muscles to your bone. Chronic strains are a result of repeated stress and impact to your muscles and tendons that eventually becomes too much for your body to handle. Symptoms of an ankle strain include pain, muscle spasm, muscle weakness, swelling, cramping, and inflammation.


If you are suffering from ankle pain, please give us a call. Most ankle injuries can be healed with ice and rest but we advise our patients with more serious ankle injuries to schedule an appointment at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry.


Mercer-Ocean Podiatry is located in two locations in NJ. Our Mercerville, NJ office can be contacted at 609-585-3200. The Tom River, NJ office is available at 732-557-4266. The schedule an appointment with Dr. Frank Killian, DPM, FACFAS or Dr. Sameep Chandrani, DPM, AACFAS, please call or visit our website.

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