Careers

Most of the time, a sprain can be treated with ice and rest. However, if the ligament is severely torn, you may need surgery to fix this injury.

Most sprains are mid-grade or minor and will take 1-4 weeks to heal. However, more serious sprains can take up to 12 weeks to fully heal. Schedule an appointment to determine the severity of your sprain and receive a more accurate timeline.

After a few days have passed and the worst of the pain has subsided, you can start gently stretching your sprained ankle by flexing it and moving it in circles a few times a day. Continue stretching after the ankle has healed to prevent reinjury.

Sprains cause swelling so elevating the sprained area, uses compression and ice, and taking a break from sports/exercise will all help reduce that swelling and speed up recovery.

A sprain occurs when a ligament (the connecting tissue between 2 bones) is stretched or torn. Strains are a tear or twist in the muscle or tendon. Strains are caused by stretching or pulling a muscle and sprains are caused by injuries like a fall or blow to the body that stresses the joint and supporting ligaments.

Most fractures heal in about 6-8 weeks. However, minor fractures can heal in as little as 4 weeks and serious fractures, such as a tibia fracture, can take up to 20 weeks.

This is a more complex question that you might think since it depends on the severity of the sprain and the break. High grade sprains can be just as bad or worse than a fracture and just as painful.

The symptoms of sprains and breaks are very similar so it can be difficult to tell them apart. However, if you hear an audible crunch, see a deformity in the limb, or are unable to put weight on the injury, you likely have a break. When in doubt, come in for an X-Ray to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

If you have a severe break, such as multiple fractures on one bone, you may need surgery to repair the damage. However, low grade fractures are sometimes treatable by setting the broken bone in a cast or splint.

Digital X-rays have the benefit of clearer images with higher resolution and better contrast. Since these images are taken digitally, your doctor can enlarge the image to focus in on the problem area.

Digital X-rays only take 5-10 minutes since they are immediately processed on a computer screen.

X-ray sensitive metal plates convert X-ray radiation into an electric charge that is digitally sent to a computer through a detector sensor.

Radiation exposure from a digital X-ray is 80% less than your exposure from the traditional practice of X-rays.

The advanced technology required for digital X-rays means there is more maintenance required for the hardware. The digital detector is also thick, so it is sometimes hard to position just right. These are not any disadvantages you as a patient have to worry about.