Which of the following is a common sign of a sprained ankle?

A common sign of a sprained ankle is swelling and bruising around the ankle joint. When a sprain occurs, it involves the stretching or tearing of the ligaments that support the ankle, leading to inflammation and fluid accumulation in the affected area. This typically results in visible swelling. Bruising can also occur as small blood vessels rupture due to the injury, leading to discoloration on the skin.

Swelling and bruising are key indicators of soft tissue injury, helping to differentiate this condition from more severe injuries such as fractures, which may also cause swelling but would likely present with more distinct signs, such as deformity. Numbness and tingling can indicate nerve involvement or other issues not typically associated with a standard ankle sprain. Inability to move the toes does not directly correlate to a sprained ankle, as this could be indicative of other conditions or more severe injuries that involve neurological or structural damage. Thus, the presence of swelling and bruising specifically aligns with the patterns observed in ankle sprains.