Foot injuries, like an ankle sprain after a car accident, are prevalent in head-on collisions. If you sustained an ankle sprain or other traumatic injuries from an accident, please do not hesitate to call us to arrange an appointment with one of our Eason & Tambornini personal injury lawyers. Our lawyers regularly handle traumatic injuries caused by car accidents. We can help answer questions like why you developed ankle swelling or soreness in the foot after a car accident, how long it takes to heal an ankle sprain, and what happens when you sprain your ankle. Foot injuries can be excruciatingly painful, so call our office, and we can help you determine your legal options.
Why do I have swelling of the ankle after a car accident?
Most serious foot injuries, including ankle sprains, are caused by front-impact car crashes. However, foot injuries can also occur due to side-impact car 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 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.
Why do I have sore feet after a car accident?
Your foot almost always stays stationary and planted on the brake while you drive. However, your foot will often come off the pedal during collisions 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. These can cause minor tissue damage, 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.
How long does it take to heal an ankle sprain?
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 healing. Immobilizing the ankle with ankle supports would allow the torn ligaments and small tissue tears to heal faster.
If you cannot bear weight on your foot, you can use crutches to help you move around. However, after immobility, you must 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.
What happens when you sprain your ankle?
Although a sprained ankle resolves independently, 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 correctly, 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 for proper medical care. The longer you ignore these symptoms, the higher your risk of 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.
What can you do?
Don’t disregard ankle problems caused by a car accident. Failing to get treatment could lead to complications. If the negligence of another individual caused your foot injuries, know that you have the right to seek compensation for any suffering and pain you have. If you want assistance with filing a suit, give our office a call. We’ll help explain why you might have developed swelling and foot soreness after a car accident, the recovery period of a sprained ankle, and complications that could arise from an ankle sprain. Our auto accident attorneys in Sacramento handle injuries like ankle sprains after car accidents, so call us to set up a consultation.
