What is the healing time for a sprain?
“A first degree sprain is a mild tear of the ligament, causing mild swelling and pain, and tends to recover quickly,” says Sampsell. First degree sprains often take 3 weeks to heal. But some people can recover in less time, while some need 4 or 5 weeks.
What is the first aid for a sprain?
- Rest the injured area.
- Put ice on the injury for 20 minutes 4 to 8 times a day.
- Compress (squeeze) the injury using special bandages, casts, boots, or splints.
- Put the injured ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist up on a pillow.
- Take medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
How do you treat a sprain?
What is the first aid for sprain?
- Rest the injured limb. Your doctor may recommend not putting any weight on the injured area for 48 to 72 hours, so you may need to use crutches.
- Ice the area.
- Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage.
- Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.
How to heal a sprain?
- Remove tripping hazards. Tape down area rugs and make sure carpet is not fraying.
- Put things away. Reduce obstacles by placing items back where they belong.
- Install nightlights. Add light to hallways and bathrooms so you can see where you are heading in the middle of the night.
- Wear proper footwear. ...
- Watch your step. ...
What is the most common treatment for a sprain?
The main treatment (first aid) for all sprains and strains is RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).Rest — give your injured limb a break,Ice — to dull the pain,Compression — to reduce swelling, and.Elevation — elevate the injury to reduce swelling and pain.
What is the first treatment for sprain?
Ice the area. Use a cold pack, a slush bath or a compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit swelling after an injury. Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48 hours or until swelling improves.
How do doctors treat sprains?
The doctor may need to immobilize the limb or joint with a splint, cast, or other device until healing is complete. Physical therapy can often be helpful to bring an injured joint back to normal. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.
Can sprains be treated at home?
Rest: Stay off the injury for a few days, and get ample rest. Ice: Apply cold to the ankle several times a day to help reduce pain and swelling. Compression: Apply a static or elastic compression bandage to help limit swelling.
Does ice help swelling after 3 days?
If an injury has occurred to any body part within three days, ice is preferred -- 20 minutes on and 30 to 40 minutes off. Pain to the back, neck and large muscle groups like quads, hamstrings and calves will respond well to heat after three days of injury. Use ice for pain in joints such as knees, elbows and shoulders.
How do you treat a sprained leg at home?
TreatmentRest. 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.
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.
Should you ice a sprained ankle?
You should only use ice for up to 20 minutes at a time. If your skin feels numb, it's time to remove the ice. Use ice treatments every 2 to 4 hours for the first 3 days after your injury. Compression: Wrap your sprained ankle to avoid swelling and bruising.
Do Xrays show sprains?
While a sprain will not show on an x-ray, the imaging can help rule out a broken ankle or foot bone. Persistent swelling: If you have swelling that doesn't go down after several days, an x-ray can reveal if there is something else going on, such as a bone fracture or fluid around a joint.
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.
How can you reduce swelling?
You can use ice packs, cold therapy systems, ice baths, or cryotherapy chambers to deliver cold to the affected area. Apply cold several times a day for 20-30 minutes at a time to help keep swelling down, especially in the first several days after an injury.
What is the treatment for a sprain?
Initial treatment for a sprain or strain includes R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Other treatment options may include: Physical therapy (to stretch and strengthen the injured muscles, ligaments, and tendons)
How to determine if a sprain is a sprain?
Specific treatment for a sprain or strain will be determined by your physician based on: 1 Your age, overall health, and medical history 2 Extent of the injury 3 Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies 4 Expectations for the course of the injury 5 Your opinion or preference
What to do if you have a torn ligament?
Surgery (especially if the injury is reoccurring or if a muscle, tendon, or ligament is badly torn) Be sure to consult your physician if there is a prolonged, visible deformity of the affected area, or if severe pain prevents use of arm, leg, wrist, ankle, or knee.
How can sports injuries be prevented?
Most sports injuries are due to either traumatic injury or overuse of muscles or joints. Many sports injuries can be prevented with proper conditioning and training, wearing appropriate protective gear, and using proper equipment.
Can a sprain heal quickly?
Contusions, sprains, or strains may heal quite quickly, depending on one's age. It is important that the patient adhere to the activity restrictions and/or stretching and strengthening rehabilitation programs to prevent re-injury. Most sports injuries are due to either traumatic injury or overuse of muscles or joints.
What to do if you have a sprain?
If you experience a sprain, reach to your healthcare provider. It’s usually a good idea to make sure it’s only a sprain and not a more severe injury. You can also get a treatment plan that will get you up and moving again.
How to heal a sprain?
An injury like a sprain requires a change in your normal routine to let the area heal. Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area for 10 minutes. Do this four to eight times a day. You can use a cold pack, ice bag or plastic bag filled with ice wrapped in a towel.
What is a sprain in the ankle?
Sprains of the Ankle, Knee and Wrist. Sprains are injuries where a ligament is stretched or torn within a joint. Common places you might have a sprain can include your ankle, knee and wrist. In severe sprains, the ligaments can be partially or completely torn – sometimes leading to surgery.
How does a sprain affect the joint?
When you have a sprain, it directly impacts the joint involved. The severity of a sprain can range from the ligament being stretched, partially torn or completely torn. How bad the injury is depends on both the degree of sprain and how many ligaments are involved.
What is a sprain in a ligament?
What is a sprain? A sprain happens when a ligament is stretched or torn. A ligament is a strong, fibrous band of rope-like tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint. When you have a sprain, you may have injured one or more ligaments.
What are some examples of injuries that cause a sprain?
Examples of injuries that cause a sprain can include: Rolling your ankle — either while running, changing direction or landing from a jump. Falling or slipping on a wet surface or uneven ground. Taking a blow to the body, including contact sports that cause a direct hit or a shift in balance and falls.
How long does it take to recover from a sprain?
The length of your recovery from a sprain will depend on the severity of your injury. In mild sprains, your recovery may only be a few short weeks. In more severe sprains, it could take up 12 weeks to recover. Surgical repairs of completely torn ligaments will have the longest recovery, the healing and post-operative plan for return to activities would be outlined by your surgeon if you had surgery. Talk to your healthcare provider about the severity of your sprain and a timeline for your recovery.
How to reduce swelling after a sprain?
Ice the area. Use a cold pack, a slush bath or a compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit swelling after an injury. Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48 hours or until swelling improves.
How to fix a sprained ankle?
Follow the instructions for R.I.C.E. 1 Rest the injured limb. Your doctor may recommend not putting any weight on the injured area for 48 to 72 hours, so you may need to use crutches. A splint or brace also may be helpful initially. But don't avoid all activity.#N#Even with an ankle sprain, you can usually still exercise other muscles to minimize deconditioning. For example, you can use an exercise bicycle with arm exercise handles, working both your arms and the uninjured leg while resting the injured ankle on another part of the bike. That way you still get three-limb exercise to keep up your cardiovascular conditioning. 2 Ice the area. Use a cold pack, a slush bath or a compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit swelling after an injury. Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48 hours or until swelling improves. If you use ice, be careful not to use it too long, as this could cause tissue damage. 3 Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. Compressive wraps or sleeves made from elastic or neoprene are best. 4 Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.
What is the most common type of sprain?
Ankle sprains are the most common type of sprain. Wrist, knee and thumb sprains are also common. Sprained ligaments often swell rapidly and are painful. Generally, the greater the pain and swelling, the more severe the injury is. For most minor sprains, you probably can start initial injury treatment yourself.
What to do if you have a swollen shin?
As the pain and swelling improve, gently begin using the injured area. You should feel a gradual, progressive improvement. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), may be helpful to manage pain during the healing process.
How to treat a swollen limb?
If you use ice, be careful not to use it too long, as this could cause tissue damage. Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. Compressive wraps or sleeves made from elastic or neoprene are best. Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.
What is the best way to restore strength and stability to an injured limb?
A physical therapist or other sports medicine provider can provide you with the appropriate strength and stability exercises to optimize healing and minimize the risk of repeat injury .
What to do if you can't bear weight on your leg?
Get emergency medical assistance if: You're unable to bear weight on the injured leg, the joint feels unstable or numb, or you can't use the joint. This may mean the ligament was completely torn. On the way to the doctor, apply a cold pack. You develop redness or red streaks that spread out from the injured area.
What to do if you have a sprain in your back?
Schedule an appointment or get emergency medical care for suspected sprains that don't respond to self-care strategies or that cause continued pain or instability. If your sprain is severe, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in sports medicine or orthopedic surgery.
What is the best medicine for a sprained ankle?
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 pain of a sprained ankle.
How to stop swelling in ankle?
To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. Don't hinder circulation by wrapping too tightly. Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Elevation. To reduce swelling, elevate your ankle above the level of your heart, especially at night.
What to do if you sprained your ankle while exercising?
If you sprained your ankle while exercising or participating in a sport, talk to your doctor about when you can resume your activity. Your doctor or physical therapist may want you to perform particular activity and movement tests to determine how well your ankle functions for the sports you play.
How to heal a sprained ankle?
approach for the first two or three days: 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.
How to restore ankle range of motion?
Therapy. Once the swelling and pain is lessened enough to resume movement, your doctor will ask you to begin a series of exercises to restore your ankle's range of motion, strength, flexibility and stability. Your doctor or a physical therapist will explain the appropriate method and progression of exercises.
What is the best test to rule out a broken ankle?
If the injury is severe, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following imaging scans to rule out a broken bone or to evaluate in more detail the extent of ligament damage: X-ray. During an X-ray, a small amount of radiation passes through your body to produce images of the bones of the ankle. This test is good for ruling out bone fractures.
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 Do I Wrap My Ankle?
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 the best treatment for a sprained limb?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint.
What is the best way to treat muscle strain?
For immediate self-care of a muscle strain, try the R.I.C.E. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation:
How to wrap a swollen heart?
Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. Elevation. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling.
What to look for in a physical exam for a ruptured tendon?
Diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. In more severe injuries, where the muscle or tendon has been completely ruptured, your doctor may be able to see or feel a defect in the area of injury.
How long after muscle strain can you take ibuprofen?
Some doctors recommend avoiding over-the-counter pain medications that can increase your risk of bleeding — such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — during the first 48 hours after a muscle strain. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period.
Who to refer to for orthopedic surgery?
While you may initially consult your family physician, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in sports medicine or orthopedic surgery.
How to stop swelling in a swollen ear?
Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake for the first few days after the injury. Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.
How to treat a sprained knee?
To treat a knee sprain, firmly wrap the injured knee with an elastic bandage or band to help reduce swelling and prevent your knee from moving around too much. Next, stay off your knee and rest it in an elevated position as much as possible.
How to reduce swelling in knee after a sprain?
To help reduce swelling, you should compress you knee in the days after your injury. You need to wrap your knee with an elastic bandage or band. Wrap the bandage tightly enough to support your knee and keep it from moving. However, make sure you do not wrap it so tight that it cuts off your circulation.
How long does it take for a knee sprain to heal?
Unfortunately, as you get older your body heals more slowly. It may take a minimum of three days to get back to normal, but it can also take longer, depending on the severity of the sprain. Thanks!
How does a knee sprain affect the ligaments?
A sprain can affect many of the ligaments in your knee by tearing the fibers of the tissues, which usually causes pain, swelling, and bruising. [1] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source. If you have been diagnosed with a knee sprain, you can follow a few simple steps ...
What is a knee sprain?
This article has been viewed 576,701 times. A knee sprain is an injury to the ligaments in the knee, which are the tough, elastic-like bands in the knee that connect your bones together and hold your joints in place. A sprain can affect many of the ligaments in your knee by tearing the fibers of the tissues, which usually causes pain, swelling, ...
How to get rid of a swollen knee?
Ice your knee. In the first few days, you should ice your knee to help relieve inflammation and pain. Put ice cubes or crushed ice in a sealed plastic bag or take a bag of frozen veggies from the freezer. Wrap the bag in a towel or cloth. Place the ice pack on your knee for 20 minutes at a time.
What is the best way to heat your knee?
You can also apply heat to your knee in a sauna, whirlpool, hot bath, or hot tub.
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 ankle sprains?
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation therapy is an accessible and popular modality in the treatment of acute ankle sprains. Therefore, the objective of our study was to analyze the effectiveness of applying RICE therapy begun within 72 hours after trauma for patients in the initial period of ankle sprain. The specific null hypotheses included the following: (1) No differences existed in outcome measurements between using rest, immobilization, or no movement or mobilization and using early mobilization or movement for acute treatment of ankle sprains; (2) No differences existed in outcome measurements between using ice, cold, cold therapy, cryotherapy, or cooling and using no ice, no cold, or heat for acute treatment of ankle sprains; (3) No differences existed in outcome measurements between using compression and using no compression for acute treatment of ankle sprains; and (4) No differences existed in outcome measurements between using elevation and using no elevation for acute treatment of ankle sprains. In addition to other reviews concerning the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains22–28(also G.M.M.J.K., unpublished data, January 2011), our systematic review will be helpful in the further development of evidence-based treatment recommendations and protocols.
How common are ankle sprains?
Ankle sprains are one of the most prevalent injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Researchers have estimated that 1 ankle sprain occurs per 10 000 people each day.1The most common mechanism of injury is inversion of the plantar-flexed foot. Inversion injuries involve about 25% of all injuries of the musculoskeletal system, which affect more than 20 000 patients in the United States each day.2,3About 50% of these injuries are sport related4,5; some sports (basketball, soccer, and volleyball) have a particularly high incidence of ankle injuries.6,7If not treated properly, inversion injuries of the ankle can result in persistent problems in 30% to 40% of patients.4,8
How long after ankle sprain can you diagnose?
A mixed population of adults and children was included if the adult population could be analyzed separately. Patients who had ankle sprains and symptoms of pain and swelling after an inversion trauma were included. A reliable diagnosis of a sprained or ruptured ligament can be made 5 to 7 days after injury.3,20,21Trials in which the authors focused only on the treatment of chronic ankle instability or postoperative treatment were excluded. Patients with chronic instability have symptoms of pain, swelling, recurrent sprains, and instability for more than 6 months.30,31
What are the ligaments of the ankle?
The ankle ligaments are the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), and together they form the lateral ligament complex of the ankle.12The ATFL is the first or only ligament to sustain injury in 97% of the cases.13,14Broström5found that combined ruptures of the ATFL and the CFL occurred in 20% of the cases and that isolated rupture of the CFL occurred in only 3%. The PTFL usually is not injured unless a true dislocation of the ankle occurs.5Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) are generally accepted methods for treating inflammation after trauma, such as acute ankle sprain.15,16Inflammation causes pain, edema, hyperalgesia, and erythema, all of which can limit the patient's ability to perform the rehabilitation required for proper healing.17Gentle tension and stretching at the joint promote proper ligament fiber growth into tight, parallel strands. Accumulation of fluid and edema around an injury site also increases tissue damage, delays healing, and can result in some degree of chronic disability.18
