Treatment 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 Compression To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops Elevation
How long should it take for a sprained ankle to heal?
Mild, low-grade ankle sprains will usually heal in one to three weeks with proper rest and non-surgical care( such as applying ice) Moderate injuries may take between three and four weeks Because of limited blood flow to the ligaments of the ankle, more severe injuries may take between three and six months to heal
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
Can an ankle sprain 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
Is my ankle sprained or rolled?
A sprained ankle is similar to a twisted ankle but to a greater degree When you sprain your ankle, it means you have stretched, and possibly even torn, the ligaments of your ankle If your ankle is swollen, bruised and painful after you twist it, then you have most likely sprained it
How should you sleep with a sprained ankle?
Healthguidanceorg recommends how to sleep with a sprained ankle is by elevating it slightly to drain fluids and prevent unnecessary swelling, so place a pillow or some blankets under the offending ankle while you sleep Also apply some ice before going to bed to reduce inflammation
How do you heal a sprained ankle in 2 days?
Doctors often recommend these tactics to reduce swelling and inflammation in the days after an injury Rest Resting the ankle is key for healing, and wearing a brace can help stabilize the injured area Ice Using an ice pack may reduce blood flow to the injury and help ease pain and swelling Compression Elevation
How do I know if my ankle sprain is serious?
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 can you tell if you tore a ligament in your 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 ice my ankle overnight?
If icing your sprained ankle provides relief, do it Use an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes every two to three hours for the first 72 hours This may not be appropriate for people with health conditions, such as diabetes, damage to the peripheral nervous system (peripheral neuropathy), or vascular disease
Is hot water good for 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
Should I go to ER for ankle injury?
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
Should a sprained ankle still be swollen after a week?
This level of sprain shouldn’t result in any instability or muscle weakness but can cause minor swelling Grade 1 sprained ankle recovery time is anywhere from 2 weeks to a month, normally closer to the two-week mark with proper treatment
What does a fractured ankle feel like?
If you have a broken ankle, you may experience some of the following signs and symptoms: Immediate, throbbing pain Swelling Bruising
How can you tell the difference between a sprained ankle and a torn ligament?
“A mild sprain should take approximately seven to 10 days to heal,” Mufich said “A torn ligament is considered a severe sprain that will cause pain, inflammation, bruising and result in ankle instability, often making it difficult and painful to walk
Is a compression sock good for a sprained ankle?
Conclusions: Compression stockings failed to significantly modify the time to return to normal painless walking in ankle sprain A beneficial effect was observed only in a subgroup of patients, as compression stockings significantly decreased the time to return to sport activity
How often 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: You can wrap your sprained ankle to avoid swelling and bruising
Why is my sprained ankle throbbing?
Your nerves are more sensitive after a sprain The joint hurts and may throb It’s often worse when you press on it, move your foot in certain ways, walk, or stand
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 do I know if my foot is sprained or fractured?
In general, a broken foot tends to be more painful than a sprained foot, and the pain lasts longer Bruising, swelling, and tenderness are also more severe if your foot is broken Another way to tell the difference between a broken foot and sprained foot is the sound the body makes when the injury occurs