Ankle Sprain: Exams And Tests

Content provided by Healthwise

Exams and Tests

Your doctor will ask you when and how the ankle sprain occurred and ask about any prior injuries.

Next, your doctor will examine your foot, ankle, and lower leg and even your knee to see if additional injury occurred. He or she may ask you to move your foot up and down and to take a few steps if possible. Your doctor will then carefully try moving your foot and ankle to see if the ligaments are intact and what movements cause pain.

If your sprain is mild, an X-ray may not be taken. If your sprain is more severe, you will need X-rays to evaluate the ankle. X-rays can help your doctor find out whether you have any ligament tears, broken bones, or bones that have moved out of their normal positions.

X-rays are usually taken for children because of potential injury to the bone's growth plate and possible disruption of normal growth. Doctors may take X-rays of both ankles so they can compare the injured ankle with the one that is healthy.

Last updated:	January 11, 2008
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC