5 Treatment Options for a Sprained Ankle

5 Treatment Options for a Sprained Ankle

Fridar Gichuki |Apr 7, 2021

Sprained Ankle Treatment

An ankle sprain occurs when there is an eversion or inversion of your foot (a twist of your ankle) that causes your ligaments to stretch or tear. The eversion or inversion can be caused by either a fall, an accident involving someone stepping on your foot, or walking on an uneven surface.

The ankle has three ligaments that prevent excessive movement and stabilize your joints. Most sprains are inversions that injure the ligaments on the outer side of your ankle. The severity of the damage caused by an eversion/inversion determines if the injury is a twist, sprain, or fracture.

After you twist your ankle, you should be able to walk it off immediately, or your ankle should be back to normal after a day of home treatment. Ideally, a twisted ankle may not require medical intervention.

A sprain means you have an excessive stretch or tear of the ligaments. Your ankle may be bruised or swollen after the incident. On the other hand, a fractured ankle can only be diagnosed with an x-ray and occurs when the ankle bone is cracked or broken.

A good indication of a fractured ankle is that you would have probably heard a cracking sound at the time of the injury. If you have excessive pain, your ankle is numb, or it looks crooked and cannot bear weight, it is probably fractured.

Treatment Options for Sprained Ankle

A sprained ankle treatment protocol is indicated by the abbreviation RICE, which means:

1. Rest

Rest may mean you’ll be restricted from activities that will put undue weight on your injured ankle. A doctor may put you on bed rest for the first two days after sustaining an injury. The unnecessary movement will strain your ankle further and may delay the healing process.

2. Ice

Ice will reduce pain and inflammation. You should apply an ice pack immediately after sustaining the injury to minimize swelling. After that, subject the ankle to the ice for 15 minutes three or more times a day for the first three days.

If you’re in pain after the three days of ice therapy, apply heat to soothe the pain. Heat treatment relaxes tissue and stimulates the flow of blood to the affected area. Use moderate heat for a limited time, and never leave the heat pad or towel on yourself for extended periods or while sleeping. Whether applying heat or ice, do not apply directly to the skin but place a towel over the ankle and then apply the necessary treatment.

3. Compression

Compression means wrapping the ankle with an elastic wrap or bandage. The wrapping compresses the area, reduces swelling, and helps stabilize and minimize the ankle’s movement.

It is advisable to have a sports injury medic wrap the ankle for you or watch this video on how to wrap an injured ankle.

4. Elevate

Anytime you’re sitting or lying down, elevate the injured foot to a level above your heart. Elevation also minimizes swelling.

5. Medication and Therapy

Depending on the severity of the injury and pain level, you may purchase over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen to help manage the painful inflammation.

To give the ligaments enough time to heal, and if the injured foot cannot bear weight, you may need to walk with crutches. Your doctor may also recommend the use of an ankle brace for immobilization of the joint. Ankle braces also provide compression and heat, which are essential for healing.

Once the swelling eases, your doctor may recommend physiotherapy to restore the ankle's strength and stability. Your doctor may recommend surgery to repair or reconstruct a ligament that isn't healing in rare situations.

Final Remarks

Sprains almost always heal quickly, especially if the RICE. protocol is followed keenly within the first 72 hours of injury. Restraining from activities could mean a faster healing process, especially if you're young. Sprains can be avoided by wearing the right gear and using equipment correctly.

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