{"id":1982,"date":"2023-01-05T10:15:37","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T10:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/?p=1982"},"modified":"2023-01-05T10:15:37","modified_gmt":"2023-01-05T10:15:37","slug":"sprained-ankle-in-kids-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/sprained-ankle-in-kids-everything-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Sprained Ankle In Kids: Everything You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1289.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Without a doubt, a sprained ankle in kids is a pretty common sight in most pediatric centers and ERs. And even though the injury is most prevalent in older children who are active and athletic, competing in little league sports, a toddler may also suffer from a sprained ankle, especially if they are always on the move, striving to discover the world around them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And let&#8217;s be honest, it&#8217;s enough for even the most vigilant parents to take their eyes off their little one, only for a second, to find that the toddler is off, and sometimes, the injury is inevitable. More specifically, this could be a part of the &#8220;toddler learning curve.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As such, this article will focus on sprained ankles in kids and will give a few valuable tips if an accident does happen. Also, don&#8217;t forget, if you want to learn more from an excellent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/sports-medicine-doctor-plantation-florida\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sports medicine doctor in Plantation and Doral, FL<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, you can always reach out to us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>About Kid and Toddler Ankle Sprains<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Medical experts define sprains as partial rupture, complete rupture, or the stretching of the ligament(s) (tissue that&#8217;s stretchy and tough). The ankle consists of three different bones, and the ligaments are responsible for holding them together and stopping the ankle joint from unnecessary movement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Experts estimate that more than two million of these ankle sprains happen in the US alone each year (normally, not all of them are toddler ankle sprains), and most of them occur while the patient participates in sports or similarly active activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sprains often occur in sports requiring players to change directions quickly, such as tennis, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and so on. As a matter of fact, sprained ankle in kids is the most common, as young athletes between the ages of ten and 19 years old are the highest-risk age group.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now that you know the injury&#8217;s background and are familiar with the most injury-prone category of kids, we&#8217;re going to delve into the nature of kid and toddler ankle sprains and what to do when they happen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1989 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/About-Kid-and-Toddler-Ankle-Sprains.jpg\" alt=\"A Girl Putting Bandage on Injured Foot\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/About-Kid-and-Toddler-Ankle-Sprains-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/About-Kid-and-Toddler-Ankle-Sprains-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/About-Kid-and-Toddler-Ankle-Sprains-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/About-Kid-and-Toddler-Ankle-Sprains-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/About-Kid-and-Toddler-Ankle-Sprains-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/About-Kid-and-Toddler-Ankle-Sprains-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/About-Kid-and-Toddler-Ankle-Sprains.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>When Should You Call a Doctor?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While not all injuries call for intensive pediatric ankle sprain treatment, every sprain should be assessed by a professional just to be on the safe side. A lot of people think that sprains are only mild injuries that will heal fine on their own. The truth is these injuries have the potential to lead to chronic ankle instability and pain if not treated properly. Regardless of whether the issue is with a sprained ankle in a toddler or a young athlete, schedule an appointment with a pediatrician as soon as possible to examine the injury. While most sprains cause damage to the ankle&#8217;s outside portion, it&#8217;s always a good idea to get it checked as if the damage happened on the inside portion; untreated problems can lead to lasting consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are a few signs that can tell that the sprain requires evaluation:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bearing weight on the hurt ankle is difficult or impossible<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pain on the foot or the ankle&#8217;s inside\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The foot and ankle look deformed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The ankle, foot, or even leg is bruised and swelled up\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Diagnosing Sprained Ankles in Toddlers, and Young Children<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Usually, a physical examination can be enough to diagnose a sprain injury. Furthermore, these ankle sprains are also graded based on functional loss, ranging from grade I to grade III.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Grade I sprains: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The child will experience tenderness and mild swelling. Still, on examination, there won&#8217;t be any joint instability, meaning that the young athlete or toddler will still be able to move about and bear weight on the hurt ankle with only minimal pain. Not a lot of grade I injuries get assessed in healthcare offices because they will usually resolve without any need for intervention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Grade II sprains: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These are more severe injuries, often meaning that the ligament is almost torn. The pain will be moderate, with tenderness, bruising, and swelling. Also, children will experience some ankle function loss, and movement or bearing weight becomes more painful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Grade III sprains:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In these cases, the ligament will often be torn entirely, and the child or toddler will be in severe pain, while the affected area will be tender, swollen, and bruised. Furthermore, this kind of toddler sprained ankle injury may lead to profound mechanical instability, with a prevalent loss of motion and function.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Pediatric Ankle Sprain Treatment\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fortunately, a young child or toddler sprained ankle injury will heal relatively quickly. First, it&#8217;s imperative to limit swelling and inflammation and try to keep some motion. The RICE method is often the most recommended early treatment method in the first few days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The RICE method consists of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rest<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compression<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Elevation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s essential to limit weight-bearing. For this, kids should use crutches for a while until they&#8217;re able to walk at an average speed. Ice or cold water is recommended for around 20 minutes every four to six hours in the first two days until the swelling subsides.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Using compression with the help of an elastic bandage is excellent for minimizing swelling and should be applied early. In the case of grade I injuries, immobilization isn&#8217;t necessary. In more severe cases, children might need sustained support in the form of Aircrast or elastic wrap. Lastly, it&#8217;s highly advised to keep the affected ankle elevated, above the heart&#8217;s level, to prevent further swelling. NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also be administered.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Things NOT to Do<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your young child or toddler suffers an ankle sprain, avoid the following in the first three days:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid massaging the area as it may induce blood flow, worsening the swelling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid putting heat packs on the sprained ankle, as it, too, can aggravate the swelling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid most activities \u2013 the ankle should be protected, so ensure that the child moves carefully and keeps the weight off the affected ankle.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>When Can Your Child Return To Sports?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your little one is an active athlete, ensure that the injury is assessed by a professional so they can establish a proper plan for rehabilitation and treatment. Ankle sprains should be treated seriously because if it heals improperly, chronic ankle instability may only lead to more problems down the road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Needless to say that proper rehabilitation is essential to prevent any chronic issues and recurrent injuries. Several recovery exercises should be introduced gradually to help promote balance and improve ankle strength.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Apart from that, the child should also show that they&#8217;re ready to return to sports. If they are fearful or anxious to return to the field, the risks of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5349388\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">reinjury<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are also higher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Is Prevention Possible?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unfortunately, parents can&#8217;t entirely prevent the chances of a sprained ankle in kids. While a sprained ankle in a toddler can be seemingly more easily prevented through increased monitoring, there are cases when these things will simply happen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your child is older and active in sports, make sure that they are more careful, especially in the first two months. They should follow the necessary activity limitations and strengthen the ligaments with the required stretching exercises.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1990 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/Is-Prevention-Possible-.jpg\" alt=\"Young Children Players Match on Soccer Field\" width=\"1000\" height=\"646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/Is-Prevention-Possible--200x129.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/Is-Prevention-Possible--300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/Is-Prevention-Possible--400x258.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/Is-Prevention-Possible--600x388.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/Is-Prevention-Possible--768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/Is-Prevention-Possible--800x517.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/01\/Is-Prevention-Possible-.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Sprains Happen, But There&#8217;s Always Help<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mild injuries probably won&#8217;t require medical attention, but a professional should always check for more severe ankle sprains. The team here at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Worldwide Pediatrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> consists of experienced doctors who can help with treatment and rehabilitation, ensuring that your little athlete gets back on the field fast, happy to play again.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1988,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[403],"tags":[408,405,407,406,404],"class_list":["post-1982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sprained-ankle-in-kids","tag-pediatric-ankle-sprain-treatment","tag-sprained-ankle-in-kids","tag-sprained-ankle-in-toddler","tag-toddler-ankle-sprain","tag-toddler-sprained-ankle"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1982"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1982\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/worldwide-pediatrics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}