Ankle Sprain After a Car Accident

Most serious foot injuries, including ankle sprains, are caused by front impact car crashes. However, foot injuries can also occur as a result of side impact car accidents and rollover accidents.

The foot injuries from the impact will immediately trigger the start of the inflammatory process. White blood cells will go to the damaged tissues in an attempt to control bleeding and remove irritants. The blood vessels will dilate, allowing passage of the white blood cells. There will also be an accumulation of fluid around the injured site. All of these events will cause swelling of the ankle. They will also contribute to the warmth and discomfort you might feel when you touch the swollen area.

Your foot almost always stays stationary and planted on the brake while you drive. However, during collisions, your foot will often come off the pedal as the car moves underneath you from the impact. The rest of your body, on the other hand, will be thrown backward against your seat.

Now, as your body recoils from the momentum, you will be thrown forward, and the force will cause you to push hard against the floorboard. In the process, your foot will be forced into an abnormal position, twisting or bending it unnaturally. All of these can cause small tissue damage and result in muscle strain, ligament sprain, and even bone fractures.

Because there is a tissue injury, however small it may be, you should expect some soreness in your foot after the car accident.

Ankle sprains usually heal after about a month and a half, but if the ankle injuries are severe, it may take more than four months. Your doctor may prescribe ankle supports like an ankle brace to speed up the healing process. Immobilizing the ankle with ankle supports would allow the torn ligaments and small tissue tears to heal faster.

If you’re not able to bear weight on your foot, you can use crutches to help you move around. However, after a period of immobility, you will be required to undergo physical therapy to regain any range of motion you may have lost. Physical therapy will also help strengthen your ankle muscles and promote faster healing.

You can also take pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs to control your pain and swelling. Ice packs and hot compresses can also help relieve pain, swelling, and bruising.

Although a sprained ankle typically resolves on its own, some complications can develop from this type of injury. For one, you can acquire persistent ankle pain and swelling. It may be due to torn ligaments that are not healing properly, blood vessels that have been damaged or impinged, nerve injuries, ruptured tendons and ligaments, or an undiagnosed fracture.

If you have persistent ankle pain and swelling after a car accident, you should visit your doctor immediately to obtain proper medical care. The longer you ignore these symptoms, the higher your risk for developing ankle stiffness, deformities, and joint instability. All of these can limit your movements and affect your day-to-day life, and if your ankle problems start affecting your job, it can even cause you to lose income.