After an injury or mishap in which the ankle has been affected, an ankle sprain is often experienced as throbbing pain in the joint itself. Swelling, or edema, is also often observed in the affected ankle. For some patients, this edema can be severe. Such swelling is the result of increased fluid in the tissues of the ankle; it may be accompanied by warmth and redness.
Correct diagnosis and treatment of an ankle sprain is imperative; failing to address this condition can lead to long-term instability in the ankle as well as chronic pain and disability.