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
What cream is good for a sprained ankle?
Analgesics Another option for treating a sore ankle is using analgesics This treatment works well for reducing pain but it won’t treat swelling Look for over the counter creams such as being Bengay, Icy Hot, or Aspercreme to help reduce the soreness of the injury
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
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
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 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
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
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
Is Voltaren Gel good for a sprained ankle?
Voltaren Emulgel helps with the relief of localized traumatic inflammation and pain caused by common injuries Musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains or strains can happen at work, at home or while playing sports, and can be minor or very serious
Is Epsom salt good for sprains?
Keep your ankle elevated above your heart to reduce the flow of blood to the sprain After a few days of applying ice consistently to your sprained ankle, you can introduce a warm Epsom salt bath Epsom salt baths are known for soothing sore muscles and helping reduce stiffness
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 you heal a sprained ankle overnight?
RICE 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 Compression helps stabilize the injured joint and may reduce swelling Elevation
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
Should I go to the hospital for a sprained ankle?
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
What’s the difference between a twisted ankle and a sprained ankle?
Most people have twisted an ankle at some point in their life But if your ankle gets swollen and painful after you twist it, you have most likely sprained it This means you have stretched and possibly torn the ligaments in your ankle Even though ankle sprains are common, they are not always minor injuries
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