what is the best treatment for sprain ankle

Medication

Tips to aid healing

• RICE. The acronym RICE stands for: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. ...
• Heat. Heat increases blood flow to an injury, which can speed healing. ...
• Stretching. An injury to the ankle puts nearby muscles and other structures at risk of damage. ...
• Walking. ...
• Exercise. ...
• Massage. ...
• Physical therapy. ...

Procedures

found that immobilizing a sprained ankle with a brace for up to 10 days may help decrease swelling and pain. They also discovered that completely immobilizing an injury for more than four weeks may actually worsen symptoms and affect recovery negatively. Start with gentle strengthening exercises.

Therapy

• Get some high heels.
• Run around until you fall, twisting the ankle.
• If you have stairs, trip and fall down them, twisting the ankle.
• If you ankle hurts after this, good. If it doesn’t, repeat steps above until it does.
• Hop on bad ankle not holding on to anything with high heels (make sure to twist it and fall).
• Do some other hazardous things.

Self-care

• Moderate to severe damage to the ligament
• Some slight instability but ankle function is intact
• Can take between three to four weeks to heal

Nutrition

What is the best natural remedy for a sprained ankle?

How to reduce recovery time for a sprained ankle?

How to Sprain Your ankle easily at home?

How long does take for a sprained ankle to heal?

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How long does it take for a sprain in the ankle to heal?

How long does a sprained ankle take to heal? The recovery time for a sprained ankle varies depending on the severity of your injury. It may take anywhere from two weeks to heal a minor sprain and anywhere from six to 12 weeks to heal a severe sprain.

What is best for a sprained ankle?

Rest the ankle (use crutches if needed) Ice the ankle for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for the first 2 days. Compress (wrap) the ankle lightly -- not tightly -- with an elastic bandage or ankle brace. For the first 48 hours, elevate (raise) the ankle higher than your heart whenever you're lying down.

Can you heal a sprained ankle at home?

Mild sprains can often be treated at home. The traditional RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) was once considered tried and true. But it may not always be your quickest route to recovery. Some experts, including Dr.

What helps ligaments heal faster?

Ultrasound heat therapy to improve blood circulation, which may aid the healing process. Deep massage to boost flexibility and circulation and prevent further injuries. Endurance activities, such as riding a stationary bike. Coordination or agility training.

Should I wrap a sprained ankle overnight?

Most experts recommend that you only wrap your ankle during the day for support and protection, while you continue to ice, elevate and rest the injury. While some people feel a sense of comfort from a compression wrap at night—unless it provides pain relief, you shouldn't have your ankle wrapped while you sleep.

Is hot water good for a sprained ankle?

Give your injured ankle a few days to recover after the initial injury. When the swelling goes down, you may want to warm your ankle before rehabilitation by soaking it in warm water. Warm tissues are more flexible, and less prone to injury.

Is heat good for a sprained ankle?

Heat should be applied after a couple of days when the swelling has gone down and the pain is at a minimum. Heat opens up the vessels to promote blood flow and stimulates healing of the damaged tissues. It can ease pain and improve stiffness before activity.

What happens if a sprain is left untreated?

If they're left untreated, sprains will often cause the ankle to become unstable, which can lead to chronic pain, swelling, instability and, ultimately, arthritis. Don't delay treatment. Sprains should be immobilized quickly, with the ankle ligaments in a stable position.

How to heal a sprained ankle?

To help your sprained ankle heal, you’ll need to ease the pain and bring down the swelling. Make an appointment right away for any ankle sprain, mild or severe. Your doctor will examine you and let you know if something more serious is wrong with your ankle.

What to do if your ankle is swollen and painful?

If your ankle is painful and swollen, remove ankle bracelets or toe rings right away. Then try the “RICE” method to ease your symptoms. RICE stands for “rest, ice, compress, and elevate.” Here’s how it works:

How to tell if you have a dislocated ankle?

Go to the emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms: Severe pain, bruising, or severe swelling. Bleeding, numbness, or change in color of the affected area. Your ankle looks deformed or seems dislocated. You can't put any weight on it.

What is a sprained ankle?

A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments are forced beyond their normal range of motion. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury.

When does a sprained ankle occur?

December 21, 2020. A sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way, stretching or tearing the tough bands of tissue, or ligaments, that help hold your ankle bones together.

Anatomy of an ankle sprain

The most common type of ankle sprain is an inversion injury, or lateral ankle sprain. The foot rolls inward, damaging the ligaments of the outer ankle — the anterior talofibular ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament, and the posterior talofibular ligament. (Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissue that connect bone to bone; see illustration.)

When to see your doctor

Unless your symptoms are mild or improving soon after the injury, contact your clinician. He or she may want to see you immediately if your pain and swelling are severe, or if the ankle feels numb or won't bear weight.

How to strengthen your ankle after a sprain

To recover from an ankle sprain fully, you'll need to restore the normal range of motion to your ankle joint and strengthen its ligaments and supporting muscles.

How to diagnose a sprained ankle?

Oftentimes it’s possible to diagnose a sprained ankle based on symptoms and appearance. Your doctor will look for signs of ankle swelling. She will talk to you about your symptoms and how the injury happened. She may also move around or press the ankle to determine how limited your range of motion has become. Once diagnosed, your orthopedist or doctor’s recommended treatments for the sprained ankle can include:

What does it mean when your ankle is sprained?

A “sprain” is usually a sign that certain parts of the body are overused and stressed. A sprained ankle can also be called a rolled ankle or twisted ankle. Pain often means that a tear has developed in one or more ligaments that support and stabilize the ankle.

Why does my ankle roll?

However, too much dorsiflexion is also problematic and leads to instability. Too much motion due to weakness in the muscles and joints of the feet can contribute to ankle rolling. Here are tips to help you stretch and strengthen the lower legs after your initial injury heals.

What happens if you have instability in your ankle?

Over time, muscular compensations caused by instability can result in damage to the bones and cartilage of the ankle joint. This is especially risky for those who engage in high-impact exercises such as running or playing contact sports.

Why do my ankles feel weak?

Weakness in the ankles or lower body can also occur from too little activity (a sedentary lifestyle). Loose ligaments or loss of cartilage in the joints of the feet or ankles (such as those of the subtalar joint). In some cases, leg discrepancy (legs are different lengths) due to genetics, which cause instability.

How do you know if you rolled your ankle?

Some signs that you’ve likely rolled your ankle include: Pain when putting weight on the ankle or when moving. Signs of a swollen ankle, including puffiness, redness, heat and throbbing near the affected ligaments/joints. Bruising near the bone or other types of discoloration of the skin.

How to keep swelling down after a sprain?

In the first 1-2 days after the injury, try to ice the ankle to keep swelling down. Use an ice pack or even a frozen bag of veggies. Press it against a cloth and the ankle for about 15-30 minutes at a time. Ideally, do this several times per day.

How to take care of a sprained ankle?

A sprained ankle can happen to anyone, but there are several things you can do to take care of your ankles long term and to speed recovery: Avoid footwear that makes your ankle unstable, such as high heels. Stretch before and after exercising. Stretch your ankle and legs regularly.

How to rehabilitate ankle?

Certain exercises can rehabilitate your ankle. Your doctor or physical therapist may recommend a series of movements designed to restore strength to the area so you avoid future sprains. Balance and stability training, as well as stretches designed to improve flexibility and range of motion, are especially helpful.

How to keep ankle from swelling?

Compression. Compression helps decrease swelling and provides stability to your ankle by immobilizing it. You should apply a compression bandage as soon as a sprain occurs . Wrap your ankle with an elastic bandage, such as an ACE bandage, and leave it on for 48 to 72 hours. Wrap the bandage snugly, but not tightly.

What is it called when your ankle rolls in and out?

This abrupt movement causes the ankle joint to move out of place. An inward ankle roll is called an eversion sprain. This type of injury affects the ligaments and tendons along the inner part of the ankle. These tendons also help support the arch of the foot.

What are the bones that connect the ankle to the knee called?

The ankle joint is formed by three bones. It works like a hinge to allow your foot to move easily in all directions. These bones are called: talus (ankle bone) tibia (shin bone) fibula (a small bone connecting the ankle to the knee) Ligaments connect the bones to each other, holding them together.

What are the muscles that support the ankle?

In the ankle, tendons help to maintain stability and strength. The muscles of the lower leg are important too. They work to support the ankle’s function and ability to move. Conditioning, stretching, and strengthening these ligaments and muscles that support your ankle can help to keep your ankles healthy and stable.

How to get ankles to move?

Here are a few exercises to try when you’re able: Walk, either with or without crutches. Trace the alphabet with your toe. This encourages ankle movement in all directions. Stand on one leg for 25 seconds to one minute to improve strength. Sit on a chair with the foot of the affected leg flat on the floor.

What is a sprained ankle?

A sprained ankle is an injury or tear of one or more ligaments on the outer side of your ankle ​. If a sprain is not treated properly, you could h​ave long-term problems. A sprain can be difficult to differentiate from a broken bone without an X-ray.

How to keep ankle ligaments from swelling?

An ankle brace often helps control swelling and adds stability while the ligaments are healing. Ice it to keep down the swelling. Don't put ice directly on the skin (use a thin piece of cloth such as a pillowcase between the ice bag and the skin) and don't ice more than 20 minutes at a time to avoid frostbite.

What is grade 3 ankle sprain?

A Grade 3 (severe) sprain puts you at risk for permanent ankle looseness (instability). On rare occasions, surgery may be needed to repair the damage, especially in competitive athletes. For severe ankle sprains, your doctor may also consider treating you with a short leg cast for 2-3 weeks or a walking boot.

How to treat a grade 1 sprain?

For a Grade 1 (mild) sprain, follow the R.I.C.E. guidelines: Rest your ankle by not walking on it. Limit weight bearing and use crutches if necessary. If there is no broken bone you are safe to put some weight on the leg. An ankle brace often helps control swelling and adds stability while the ligaments are healing.

What happens if you don't heal your ankle?

If you don't complete rehabilitation, you could suffer chronic pain, looseness, and arthritis in your ankle. If your ankle still hurts, it could mean that the sprained ligament has not healed right, or that some other injury occurred.

Do ankle sprains require surgery?

Most an kle sprains do not require surgery, and minor sprains are best treated with a rehabilitation program similar to your sporting activities. Depending on how many ligaments are injured, your sprain will be classified as Grade 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), or 3 (severe).

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Overview

A sprained ankle is a common injury when the tissue that connects your ankle bones and supports your ankle (ligaments) is torn or stretched beyond its limits, often after a fall, ankle roll or twist.

Diagnosis and Tests

Your healthcare provider will diagnose your sprained ankle after a physical examination of your foot and ankle to identify your range of motion and determine which ligaments are affected. The physical exam is typically followed by an imaging test, like an X-ray.

Management and Treatment

For the majority of ankle sprains, healthcare providers recommend using the PRICE method for the first 24-48 hours after injury. PRICE stands for protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Living With

After treating your sprain with the PRICE method, you'll need to build back flexibility and strength in your ankle. Perform exercises recommended by your healthcare provider or physical therapist to improve your range of motion.

Frequently Asked Questions

The difference between a high ankle sprain and an ankle sprain depends on the location and ligaments that were injured. Ankle sprains are grouped into two location-based categories:

What is the best treatment for a sprained ankle?

Physical therapy may especially benefit anyone who experiences long-term pain following a serious sprain and anyone with a history of similar injuries. A physical therapist will perform an exam of the person’s ankle to identify weak muscles and other issues that can cause pain and increase the risk of injury.

How to heal ankle sprain?

As the swelling goes down, walking can promote healing. Start by walking short distances within the house.

What is a sprained ankle?

When to see a doctor. Summary. A sprained ankle is an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle. Mild sprains may involve overstretching and irritating the ligaments, while severe sprains can cause the ligaments to tear completely. Ankle sprains are common injuries, particularly among people who play sports.

How to stop swelling in ankle?

If possible, wear a temporary brace or bandage to support the joint and prevent it from moving.

How long does it take for an ankle sprain to heal?

Ankle sprains are common injuries, particularly among people who play sports. They can be very painful, and severe sprains can require months of recovery. However, a person can do several things at home to help speed their healing and reduce the risk of reinjury. Below, find out what to do after spraining an ankle.

Why does stretching help with ankle pain?

Stretching keeps the muscles strong and limber. It also helps more blood circulate to the area, which may help the ankle heal faster.

How long does it take for an ankle to heal after walking?

If this is the case, wait 1–2 days, then try again.