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
Can you 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 you heal a sprained ankle at home?
Mild sprains can often be treated at home The traditional RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) was once considered tried and true But it may not always be your quickest route to recovery
How do I know if I sprained my ankle?
Signs and symptoms of a sprained ankle vary depending on the severity of the injuryThey 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 Popping sensation or sound at the time of injury
What helps a sprained ankle heal faster?
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
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
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 painful is a sprained ankle?
An ankle sprain can range from mild to severe, depending on how badly the ligament is damaged and how many ligaments are injured With a mild sprain, the ankle may be tender, swollen, and stiff But it usually feels stable, and you can walk with little pain
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
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
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
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
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
Is it OK to take a bath with sprained ankle?
After a few days, you can soak your ankle in a warm bath with Epsom salt It’s important to apply cold during the first few days after an injury Epsom salt may help soothe sore muscles and connective tissues, and it may help with joint stiffness Try adding Epsom salts to a warm or somewhat hot bath 1-2 times per day
What is the home remedy for ankle pain?
Self-care Rest Keep weight off your ankle as much as possible Ice Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on your ankle for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day Compression Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling Elevation Over-the-counter pain medications
Should I wear an ankle brace all day?
If you are using your ankle brace as a rehabilitative or treatment device you should wear your brace while performing any daily activities to provide more stability and prevent re-injury
Can you sprain ankle while sleeping?
Any action that pulls the foot in an unnatural direction can cause a sprain Being involved in a car accident, getting your foot trapped under an object, or even rolling your foot in the covers as you sleep can cause the ligaments to stretch too far
Should you sleep with your ankle wrapped?
The bandage should provide a snug compression, but not restrict blood flow Please remove compression bandages at night while sleeping for best results As swelling reduces it may be necessary to adjust compression bandage