Nearly everyone knows the pain of an ankle sprain. The moment it occurs, a shooting pain leads to grimacing, frustration and sometimes cursing. Ankle sprains are common injuries, and the body ordinarily bounces back from them without permanent damage or prolonged pain. If you suffer an ankle sprain, though, you want quick recovery, and that is certainly possible. You can speed the healing process by following a few recommended treatments.
Diagnosis
Ankle sprains range from mild to severe, and treatment varies. Your doctor can help you determine the severity of a sprain, but self-evaluation might be all that you require for diagnosis. Consider the severity of the injury based upon the degree of swelling and the intensity of the pain. If you experience sharp pain when your ankle is not bearing weight, you might have a more serious injury.
Painkiller
While pain medicine does not heal an ankle sprain, it does provide some relief while you recover by dulling or numbing the pain. In most cases, you only need to take over-the-counter medications containing ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen. If you have a severe sprain, your doctor might prescribe a mild painkiller.
RICE
The acronym stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation, and that is just what you need to heal most ankle sprains. Stay off your feet as much as possible to give your ankle time to heal and treat it with ice. You can tape ice packs or zip-seal bags of ice to your leg. Be sure you are applying the ice directly to the area with the most swelling. You also can soak your foot in a bucket of ice water.
Compression requires you to wrap your foot. Use bandages or athletic tape to wrap your ankle. If such products are not available, a tight-fitting sock provides some compression. Elevate your foot as much as possible. Position yourself on a sofa or bed and use blankets or pillows to prop up your foot. If you must sit in a chair, you can place your foot on a footstool, ottoman or the seat of another chair.
Physical Therapy
The muscles surrounding your ankle ligaments are often tender and loose after an ankle injury. To retrain your muscles, perform low-impact exercises that emphasize flexibility, balance, strength and range of motion. Standing on one leg is one potential exercise. If you intend to perform high-impact exercises, you might consider using an ankle brace or a wrap to help support the ankle and protect it from re-injury.
Tags: your foot, your ankle, ankle sprain, Ankle sprains,