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 does it take for a sprained ankle to heal?
The amount of time it takes for an ankle sprain to heal depends on the severity of the injury In general, it will take a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks and up to 6 months for an ankle sprain to heal That’s why getting a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for an ankle sprain is critical
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
Will walking on a sprained ankle make it worse?
Yes That’s the very short answer According to the National Association of Athletic Trainers, ankle injuries, including sprains, are very often undertreated Ignoring treatment, including excessive movement of the ankle through unnecessary walking, leads to a greater risk of worsening the injury
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 do you tell if your ankle is sprained or twisted?
Symptoms 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 Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury
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 overnight?
Self-care 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 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
Can a sprained ankle 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
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
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
Is heat or cold better for a sprained ankle?
Treatment for a Sprained Ankle So, typically, ice decreases blood flow to an area, which causes less swelling, whereas heat will bring blood flow to an area which can cause more swelling Usually, in the first two to three days after an injury, we would recommend ice only You put the ice on for about 10 to 15 minutes
Is ice or heat better for a sprained ankle?
For most injuries, ice is recommended during the first 24 to 48 hours This helps reduce the pain and swelling that are part of the inflammatory stage of healing You can switch to heat when the ankle swelling goes away The area should not be red or hot to the touch
Is it good to put a sprained ankle in hot water?
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 wrap a sprained ankle?
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
Can you move a broken ankle?
Typically, a minor ankle fracture won’t prevent you from walking You might even be able to walk right after the injury If you have a serious break, you’ll need to avoid walking for a few months As your ankle gets better, you can slowly return to normal activities
Can you move your toes with a sprained ankle?
As you can see, the symptoms for a sprained ankle are like those of a broken ankle, but don’t include the inability to move the toes or deformities
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 long does a sprained ankle stay swollen?
Usually, this level of sprain involves some overstretched ankle ligaments This most often leads to soreness and minor swelling In many cases, grade one sprain symptoms can take up to three weeks to go away completely However, resting the ankle and physical therapy could help you recover in closer to one week
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