- Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
- Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake. ...
- Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. ...
- Elevation.
Medication
Feb 08, 2007 · How to treat a sprained ankle. The first goal is to decrease pain and swelling and protect the ligaments from further injury. This usually means adopting the classic RICE regimen — rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If you have severe pain and swelling, rest your ankle as much as possible for the first 24–48 hours.
Procedures
A broken ankle or ankle fracture is when one or more of the bones in your ankle break. Severe sprains and fractures have similar symptoms (pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness) and are both caused by twisting or rotating your ankle, tripping or falling, or trauma to your ankle. Sprains heal faster, but it can take up to six weeks for a broken ...
Therapy
Apr 11, 2022 · Ankle Sprain Treatment at Bergen Chiropractic Soft Tissue Treatments. After assessing the circumstances and severity of the injury, we build a treatment plan for... Graston Technique. The Graston Technique is a type of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). It uses... Active Release ...
Self-care
Nov 29, 2019 · A person can try performing the following exercises for 10–15 minutes every other day: On a low step, stand with the heels hanging backward over the edge. Drop the heels slightly, and hold the position for a... Balance on one foot for 30–60 seconds, then switch sides, to promote equal strength in ...
Nutrition
Ice can help alleviate swelling in the hours and days following your sprain. Never put the ice directly on your skin; instead wrap it in a towel or sheet, and apply to the injured area for 20 minutes at a time. Take 20 minutes with no ice before repeating again. Compression Research shows that compression does help your body heal.
What is the normal recovery time for a sprained ankle?
Jul 30, 2020 · Ice reduces pain and inflammation, making it an important treatment. Put an icepack on your ankle to decrease the blood flow and soothe the swelling or redness. Compression also reduces swelling. Wrap an elastic bandage around the injury and start from the farthest point from your heart.
How long does it take for a sprained ankle to heal?
What is the best medicine for a sprained ankle?
How to heal a sprained ankle fast?
How long does it take for the swelling to go away from a sprained ankle?
The pain and swelling of an ankle sprain most often gets better within 48 hours. After that, you can begin to put weight back on your injured foot. Put only as much weight on your foot as is comfortable at first. Slowly work your way up to your full weight.Oct 12, 2020
What helps a sprained ankle heal faster?
RICERest. Resting the ankle is key for healing, and wearing a brace can help stabilize the injured area. ... Ice. Using an ice pack may reduce blood flow to the injury and help ease pain and swelling. ... Compression. Compression helps stabilize the injured joint and may reduce swelling. ... Elevation.Nov 29, 2019
What cream is good for sprained ankle?
Another option for treating a sore ankle is using analgesics. This treatment works well for reducing pain but it won't treat swelling. Look for over the counter creams such as being Bengay, Icy Hot, or Aspercreme to help reduce the soreness of the injury.Apr 29, 2020
Should I wrap a sprained ankle overnight?
Ice is best, especially for the first 48 hours after injury. Compression -- Wrapping a stretchable elastic bandage around your foot and ankle can help minimize swelling after injury. If you're going to wrap your ankle, it is best to put the bandage on first thing in the morning, and then take it off at bedtime.Dec 10, 2020
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 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 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.
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 have 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.
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.
Can a sprained ankle hurt too much?
But the sprain could be more severe; your ankle might swell and it might hurt too much to stand on it. If it's a severe sprain, you might have felt a "pop" when the injury happened. A sprained ankle is an injury or tear of one ...
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).
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 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.
How to heal ankle sprain?
As the swelling goes down, walking can promote healing. Start by walking short distances within the house.
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.
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 long does it take for an ankle to heal after walking?
If this is the case, wait 1–2 days, then try again.
How to heal a sprained ankle?
As soon as the doctors at Go Feet say you’re ready, one of the best treatments for a sprained ankle is physical therapy. Physical therapy exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and improve coordination. When you should start physical therapy really depends on your injury, but doing mobilization exercises can get you back ...
How does compression help your feet?
At Go Feet, the expert podiatrists can wrap your foot from your toes to just above the ankle at a pressure that’s going to facilitate healing without cutting off circulation. Compression helps by controlling swelling and adding stability.
What happens if you twist your ankle?
Whether you stepped oddly on an uneven surface or twisted it during a soccer or football game, you know the signs: pain, swelling, and weakness in the ankle joint.
How to rest after a sprain?
Rest. Avoid walking on the ankle following injury. Crutches may be necessary if you have a severe tear or fracture. In the days following the sprain, minimize weight-bearing activity. How long you should rest depends on the severity of your tear; the team at Go Feet will give you guidelines.
How to get rid of swelling after a sprain?
Ice can help alleviate swelling in the hours and days following your sprain. Never put the ice directly on your skin; instead wrap it in a towel or sheet, and apply to the injured area for 20 minutes at a time. Take 20 minutes with no ice before repeating again.
How to get your leg up when sitting?
Whenever you’re seated, prop your leg up on a stool or other high surface to get it above your heart or waist. Elevation helps prevent blood and fluids from pooling at the injury, minimizing swelling and reducing pain.
What is the best pain reliever for a sprain?
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce your immediate pain. You may also benefit from topical pain medicine applications. In most cases, you only need painkillers for a few days to take the edge off the immediate consequences of the injury.
How to treat a sprained ankle?
If you’re unsure how to treat a sprained ankle, know you must rest, ice, compress, and elevate. Resting your ankle is key for healing as it stops you from putting pressure on the inflamed tissue.
How long does it take for an ankle injury to subside?
As a result, you’ll have some pain and stiffness but your ankle feels stable. The ankle injury should subside in a few days.
