Dr. Glenn Pfeffer in a recent interview with HealthScout.
Experts say sprains are one of the most commonly disregarded and recurring of sports injuries.
Pfeffer and Dr. Carol Frey, an orthopedic surgeon in Manhattan Beach, Calif., told HealthScout that many sports enthusiasts and athletes often consider a sprain not as serious as a fracture. Ignoring an initial sprain can cause cartilage and tendon injury and even lead to associated fractures, they said. In addition, they can develop Achilles-tendon tightness, and that's actually one of the most common reasons that people have recurrent ankle sprains. Both physicians recommend that injured patients use simple ankle braces to provide support, as well as ice packs or elastic wraps to deal with swelling and pain. Children and teens, as well as adult athletes do not give sprains enough time to heal, these physicians said.