Medication
Treatment
- Self-care. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. ...
- Medications. In most cases, over-the-counter pain relievers — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) — are enough to manage the ...
- Devices. ...
- Therapy. ...
- Surgery. ...
Procedures
There is no specific time frame that sprained ankle recover. While we do know that the ligaments themselves will take at least six weeks to heal, your muscle strength, the range of motion, proprioception, and return to function can vary considerably. Here are some general guidelines.
Therapy
When Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Sprained Ankle. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following: You have prolonged severe pain or swelling; You have an open wound in the injury site; Your foot or ankle look deformed after being injured; There are signs of infection (redness, warmth, or tenderness)
Self-care
Use the PRICE method.
- Protection. To prevent further injury, the sprained ankle must be immobilized immediately. ...
- Rest. Whether your sprained ankle is mild or severe, keep it at rest for the time being. ...
- Ice. The next course of action is ice. ...
- Compression. Compression involves applying pressure to the sprained ankle and its surrounding areas to reduce swelling.
- Elevation. ...
Nutrition
What is the most effective treatment for a sprained ankle?
How long does it take for a sprained ankle to heal?
When should I seek medical care for a sprained ankle?
How to make a sprained ankle heal faster?
See more
How long does it take for a sprained ankle 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 the cure for 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 walk on a sprained ankle?
Do not walk on a sprained ankle. The inflamed tissue needs time to heal, and walking on it too soon may cause more damage. Ankle sprains are common musculoskeletal injuries that can occur from playing sports or from everyday activities.
When do you need to see a doctor for a sprained ankle?
People with a more severe ankle sprain — characterized by extreme bruising or swelling and an inability to bear weight on the foot without significant pain, or when there doesn't seem to be any improvement over the first several days after the injury — should seek medical attention, Drs. SooHoo and Williams say.
How do I know if my ankle is sprained?
SymptomsPain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot.Tenderness when you touch the ankle.Swelling.Bruising.Restricted range of motion.Instability in the ankle.Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury.
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 should you sleep with a sprained ankle?
Elevating a sprained ankle reduces the accumulation of fluid in the joint. This can ease swelling, which may also help reduce pain. Try sleeping with the foot and ankle propped up on pillows at a level higher than the heart. When sitting or resting, use pillows or a footrest to keep the foot and ankle elevated.
Should I go to ER for sprained ankle?
Go to urgent care if your pain level and swelling is significant and you have difficulty walking, to the point that you need assistance, due to the pain. Go to the emergency room if your foot is bruised, deformed, or you are unable to walk at all. You may have a fracture, broken bone or serious ligament damage.
Can a sprained ankle heal in 2 days?
After 2 to 3 days protocol, a mild sprain will be mostly healed and ready for you to resume normal activity. A moderate or severe sprain may require you to keep up these treatment steps for longer—up to several weeks.
Should you 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.
How do I know if my ankle pain is serious?
Seek immediate medical attention if you:Have severe pain or swelling.Have an open wound or severe deformity.Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or a fever greater than 100 F (37.8 C)Cannot put weight on your foot.
How do you treat a sprained ankle at home?
Self-careRest. 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.
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.
How to wrap a toe in compression wrap?
Take the compression wrap out of the packaging and unroll it. Place a small section of the cloth just behind your toes and begin to wrap it in a spiral toward your heart. Each layer should cover about half the width of the previous one. Continue wrapping around the foot, heel, and ankle until every bit of skin -- up to several inches above the injury -- is covered.
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.
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 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.
How many people sprain their ankles every day?
It’s estimated that some 25,000 people sprain their ankle every single day, according to the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society. ( 1) What are some of the reasons that someone might suffer from an ankle sprain?
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.
Why does my ankle make a popping sound?
Some report hearing a snapping or popping sound when the injury takes place. This usually happens in the case of a severe sprain in which the ligament completely tears.
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 prevent a sprained ankle?
To prevent future sprained ankles, pay attention to your body's warning signs to slow down when you feel pain or fatigue, and stay in shape with good muscle balance, flexibility, and strength.
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.
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.
Why is it important to complete ankle rehabilitation?
It's important to complete the rehabilitation program because it makes it less likely that you'll hurt the same ankle again. 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.
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.
How to help a broken ankle?
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 is phase 1 of a sprain?
Phase 1 includes resting, protecting, and reducing swelling of your injured ankle.
How to recover from a sprained ankle?
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. Studies have shown that people return to their normal activities sooner when their treatment emphasizes restoring ankle function — often with the aid of splints, braces, taping, or elastic bandages — rather than immobilization (such as use of a plaster cast). Called functional treatment, this strategy usually involves three phases: the RICE regimen in the first 24 hours to reduce pain, swelling, and risk of further injury; range-of-motion and ankle strengthening exercises within 48–72 hours; and training to improve endurance and balance once recovery is well under way.
How long does it take for a sprained ankle to heal?
Generally, you can begin range-of-motion and stretching exercises within the first 48 hours and should continue until you're as free of pain as you were before your sprain. Start to exercise seated on a chair or on the floor. As your sprained ankle improves, you can progress to standing exercises. If your symptoms aren't better in two to four weeks, you may need to see a physical therapist or other specialist.
What is the most common type of 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.)
How to tie a band around your foot?
Press down, pull back. Loop an elasticized band or tubing around the foot, holding it gently taut (A). Press your toes away and down. Hold for a few seconds. Repeat 30 times. Tie one end of the band to a table or chair leg (B). Loop the other end around your foot. Slowly pull the foot toward you. Hold for a few seconds. Repeat 30 times.
How to reduce swelling in ankle?
To reduce swelling, compress the ankle with an elasticized wrap, such as an ACE bandage or elastic ankle sleeve. When seated, elevate your ankle as high as you comfortably can — to the height of your hip, if possible. In the first 24 hours, avoid anything that might increase swelling, such as hot showers, hot packs, or heat rubs.
What happens if you sprain your ankle?
The injury occurs when one or more of the ligaments in the ankle are stretched or torn, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. Many people try to tough out ankle injuries and don't seek medical attention. But if an ankle sprain causes more than slight pain and swelling, it's important to see a clinician. Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, a severely injured ankle may not heal well and could lose its range of motion and stability, resulting in recurrent sprains and more downtime in the future.
How to invert ankle?
Ankle inversion. Seated on the floor, cross your legs with your injured foot underneath. With an elasticized band or tubing around the injured foot and anchored around your uninjured foot, slowly turn the injured foot inward. Repeat 30 times.
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.
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 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 to help a swollen ankle?
This can ease swelling, which may also help reduce pain. Try sleeping with the foot and ankle propped up on pillows at a level higher than the heart. When sitting or resting, use pillows or a footrest to keep the foot and ankle elevated.
How long does it take for an ankle to heal after walking?
If this is the case, wait 1–2 days, then try again.
Why do you need a brace for ankle pain?
Resting the ankle is key for healing, and wearing a brace can help stabilize the injured area. Attempting to return to sports or other activities too quickly increases the risk of another injury.
How to treat a sprained ankle?
Ice: Treating a sprain with ice can reduce pain and swelling. When you ice your ankle, make sure you use a cloth barrier between the ice and your skin and limit icing session to 10 to 15 minutes every 1 to 2 hours.
What is ankle sprain?
Ankle sprains are very common injuries that can affect anyone—from professional athletes to those with limited mobility, from children to adults. They occur when the ligaments that support the ankle go beyond their normal range of motion and become stretched or torn.
What does it mean when your ankle hurts?
Sudden, sharp pain that forces you to immediately stop moving or take weight off the ankle. Pain that's located on the spot of the injured ligament (for example, on the inside of your ankle) Swelling or bruising at the site of the sprain. Limited or no ability to move the ankle a certain way or stand on it. See a complete list of symptoms.
Why do you bandage a sprained ankle?
Bandaging a sprained ankle helps stabilize the joint to tissues can heal.
How to reduce swelling in ankle?
Elevation: By keeping your ankle elevated above the level of your heart, you can help reduce swelling and pain. Prop up your leg during the day, and put a pillow beneath your ankle in bed at night.
How long does it take for a sprain to heal?
After 2 to 3 days. After a few days of using the R.I.C.E. protocol, a mild sprain will be mostly healed and ready for you to resume normal activity. A moderate or severe sprain may require you to keep up these treatment steps for longer—up to several weeks.
How to help swelling in a joint?
Compression: An elastic bandage can bring down swelling and stabilize the joint. Wrap it snugly, but not so tight that it causes numbness or tingling. And remove or significantly loosen it when you go to bed at night.
How to treat a sprained ankle?
Although self-care measures and over-the-counter pain medications may be all you need, a medical evaluation might be necessary to reveal how badly you've sprained your ankle and to determine the appropriate treatment.
What to do if you have a sprain in your ankle?
Call your doctor if you have pain and swelling in your ankle and you suspect a sprain. Self-care measures may be all you need, but talk to your doctor to discuss whether you should have your ankle evaluated. If signs and symptoms are severe, you may have significant damage to a ligament or a broken bone in your ankle or lower leg.
What is the ligament that holds your ankle together?
Most ankle sprains involve injuries to the three ligaments on the outside of your ankle. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that stabilize joints and help prevent excessive movement. An ankle sprain occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the ligaments that help hold your ankle bones together.
What happens when your ankle is sprained?
A sprain occurs when your ankle is forced to move out of its normal position, which can cause one or more of the ankle's ligaments to stretch, partially tear or tear completely.
What is the purpose of ligaments in ankle?
Ligaments help stabilize joints, preventing excessive movement. 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.
What happens if you don't treat a sprained ankle?
Failing to treat a sprained ankle properly, engaging in activities too soon after spraining your ankle or spraining your ankle repeatedly might lead to the following complications: Chronic ankle pain. Chronic ankle joint instability. Arthritis in the ankle joint.
Why do ankles sprain?
Poor physical condition. Poor strength or flexibility in the ankles may increase the risk of a sprain when participating in sports.
