Medication
- Moderate to severe damage to the ligament
- Some slight instability but ankle function is intact
- Can take between three to four weeks to heal
Procedures
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. ...
Therapy
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. ...
Self-care
- Try common brands of ibuprofen such as Advil and Motrin and brands of acetaminophen such as Tylenol.
- You can also take anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen. You can buy it over the counter in such brands as Aleve.
- Ask your doctor for prescription anti-inflammatory medication, if the pain and swelling in your knee lingers longer than a week.
Nutrition
How long does take for a sprained ankle to heal?
What is the best natural remedy for a sprained ankle?
How to make a sprained ankle heal faster?
What is the best medication for a sprained ankle?
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How long does it take to heal a sprained ankle?
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.
Is it OK to 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?
If you have seen a doctor, or if you haven't and are treating your sprained ankle at home, you should seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following: Misalignment of the bone or misshapen ankle. Increased swelling. Increased pain.
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.
How do I know if my ankle is sprained or fractured?
With a sprain, you feel pain. But if you have numbness or tingling, your ankle is most likely broken. Where is the pain? If your ankle hurts or is tender to the touch directly over your ankle bone, you probably have a fracture.
Should a sprained ankle be wrapped?
Proper initial care of your sprained ankle is critical. A compression wrap helps decrease swelling. If swelling is kept to a minimum, it may help your ankle feel better. Applying a compression wrap is easy and can be done at home.
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 I know if I tore a ligament in my ankle?
If you have torn your ankle ligament, symptoms include:Swelling around your ankle joint.A feeling of instability.Bruising – sometimes up your lower leg and into your foot.Tenderness to touch.Pain when putting weight on your ankle.Popping sound at the time of injury.
Should I get an xray for a sprained ankle?
It's time to get an X-ray if your child has any of the following symptoms: Tenderness over the bony prominence on either side of the ankle, particularly if it's in the back. Inability to bear any weight for four steps (limping counts as weight-bearing).
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
How to heal a broken ankle?
Be careful when walking, running or working on an uneven surface. Use an ankle support brace or tape on a weak or previously injured ankle. Wear shoes that fit well and are made for your activity. Minimize wearing high-heeled shoes.
What causes a sprained ankle?
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. Causes of a sprained ankle might include: Another person stepping or landing on your foot during a sports activity.
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 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.
Why are my ankles sore?
Poor physical condition. Poor strength or flexibility in the ankles may increase the risk of a sprain when participating in sports. Improper shoes. Shoes that don't fit properly or aren't appropriate for an activity, as well as high-heeled shoes in general, make ankles more vulnerable to injury.
How do you know if you have a sprained ankle?
They may include: Pain, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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