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Laser Therapy For Ankle Sprain May Be An Option

By Carolyn Russell


The inconvenience of having one's mobility put to a halt is an unfortunate event. When it comes to injuries, one of the most common ones deal with the ankle. Something as traumatic as a quick turn or twist can leave an individual in severe pain. Even though all injuries are not created the same, the experience can be devastating. However, laser therapy for ankle sprain may be the key to an individual getting up and moving again.

Sometimes the pain can be so great, that it often appears that it is coming from the outside of the ankle itself, when in actuality it is coming from the joint of the bone. When cases are mild in nature, swelling or bruising is not always evident. However, the pain is real and comes from ligaments being compressed along with surrounding tissue. Symptoms can go from being very mild to extremely severe. Mild sprains mean that a person can function and resume their activity throughout the day. More severe injuries sometimes suggest that a visit to the hospital is needed.

Depending upon the severity of the sprain, can determine the grade that it will received. For example, mild pain accompanied by a little stiffness is considered minor. Usually individuals can still participate in athletic activities. Ligaments may have been mildly torn. This is characterized as being a grade 1 sprain.

Grade 2 however produces great difficulty in walking with evidence of severe pain. Most athletes with this grade are unable to play. There may be minor bruising, stiffness, and some swelling. Moderate tearing has usually occurred and the joint is very unstable. When an individual has a complete rupture of a ligament, severe pain is usually felt with great symptoms of bruising and swelling. There will be a great instability of the joint. This is known as grade 3.

Not only does damage occur in the ligament, it also occurs in the cartilage, joint capsule, tendons, and other surrounding tissues. A complete rupture of ligaments within a sprain can cause dislocation as well as a fracture within the bone.

When a ligament starts to rip away, it sometimes takes a small piece of bone with it. This injury usually goes unnoticed for a while before it is discovered. There may even be an onset of osteochondral lesions when part of the talus bone has been torn.

Laser therapy is a great option because it helps in reducing swelling due to an increase in the lymphatic flow. Also, the fact that blood flow increases and provides nutrients to surrounding tissues while also removing tissue damage is a plus. The production of endorphins also increases which is also a great asset.

One great thing about this treatment is that it helps the body speed up its natural healing process. This is important because the quicker the body repairs itself, the quicker one can start the rehabilitation process. Pain is often reduced due to the production of prostaglandin. Sprains that are categorized as mild can sometimes show improvement after 4-5 visits.

Athletes all over the globe are familiar with laser therapy. It has become a great asset to the healing process. Taking the proper care with these type of injuries can result in quicker rehabilitation. Athletes have gained hope knowing that help does exist for ankle injuries no matter what grade they are.




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