Sprains and strains can happen when you push yourself a little too hard—whether from a sudden twist or just doing too much of the same thing. They can leave you with pain, swelling, and trouble moving the injured area. While resting and icing can help, Dr. Mona Ramani and Dr. Erin Koprince at AIRE Podiatry Studio can help speed up your recovery with a tailored treatment plan. She’ll work with you to get you back on your feet and feel like yourself again.
Sprains and strains are very common soft tissue injuries that affect the body’s ligaments, muscles, and tendons.
Sprains involve overstretching or tearing ligaments—the tissue connecting bones at a joint. They often occur in areas like the ankle, wrist, or knee, typically after sudden twists, falls, or impacts. Symptoms of a bad sprain may include pain, swelling, bruising, and limited joint movement.
Strains involve overstretching or tearing of your muscles or tendons. Strains are generally caused by overuse or improper lifting and are common in the back, hamstrings, and shoulders. Symptoms include pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area.
While both injuries can be painful and limit mobility, sprains are generally joint-specific, while strains affect muscles and tendons.
Our podiatrist specialists can provide expert care for sprains and strains, starting with a thorough evaluation to assess the injury and understand the extent of the damage. For most cases, she will recommend the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) to reduce pain and swelling in the initial stages.
Depending on the severity of the injury, physical therapy may be suggested to restore strength and flexibility or bracing to support the affected area as it heals. In more severe cases, she might recommend corticosteroid injections or, in rare cases, surgical intervention to ensure a full recovery and prevent long-term issues.
Recovery after treatment for sprains and strains varies depending on the severity of the injury and the care provided. For mild injuries, recovery can take a few days to a few weeks, during which swelling, pain, and stiffness gradually improve. Following your personal podiatrist’s guidance at Aire Podiatry Studio, patients can expect to incorporate gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to restore flexibility and function as healing progresses.
In more severe cases, recovery may extend over several weeks or even months, especially if physical therapy is required. Dr. Ramani and Dr. Koprince will work with you to create a customized rehabilitation plan to help you regain your strength and prevent re-injury. With proper care, most can expect to return to their regular activities, often stronger and more resilient than before.
The cost of treating sprains and strains in New York City varies based on the severity of the injury and the treatment needed. For minor injuries, initial consultation fees typically range from $150 to $500, with additional charges if imaging tests, like X-rays or MRIs, are necessary—these can add $200 to $1,000 to your total cost. Physical therapy sessions, often recommended for recovery, range from $75 to $350 per session.
More advanced treatments, such as corticosteroid injections or specialized braces, can cost between $100 and $300 per treatment. Our team at Aire Podiatry Studio can provide a personalized assessment to give a more accurate estimate based on your specific injury and treatment needs.
AIRE Podiatry Studio, located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is your destination for cutting-edge foot and ankle care that focuses on your overall well-being. Led by Dr. Mona Ramani, our medical-grade rehabilitation services are tailored to your needs to ensure the most effective path to healing. From injury recovery to managing chronic conditions, we offer treatments designed to restore your mobility and prevent any future issues. Board-qualified Dr. Ramani is a proud American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) member.
Dr. Erin K. Koprince, DPM, DABPM, is our board-certified podiatric surgeon. As a former professional dancer, she understands the competitive world of elite athletics and works with her patients to develop treatment plans that align with their goals. She is an expert in dance injury, rehabilitation, and skeletal evaluation for en pointe readiness. Dr. Koprince is a diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) and an Academy of Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery (AMIFAS) member.
