Ankle sprains are very common injuries that affect the ligaments and joint of the ankle. When the ankle is moved quickly or unnaturally without the ligaments having time to warm up, they can stretch and potentially tear. This is good news, since they are very prevalent in sports, but normally do not necessitate a doctor’s visit or too much recovery time. However, while the injury is seen a lot in athletes, since many rely on the feet and ankles to complete quick movements and bear the body’s weight, you can sprain your ankle anywhere. Sometimes, walking up or down stairs, on an uneven surface, or encountering an unanticipated change of elevation can knock you off balance and cause an ankle sprain.
Ankle sprains are usually minor injuries, with symptoms including pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and instability. Because of their nature, many ankle sprain treatments are easy to do at home with over-the-counter pain relief and rest.
Common Ankle Sprain Treatments
1. R.I.C.E. Method:
One of the best ankle sprain treatments is the tried-and-true R.I.C.E. method.
- Rest sufficiently by getting enough sleep and sitting out of any strenuous activities. This allows the body to heal faster and more completely. Trying to rush back into activities may result in reinjury.
- Ice the injury 2-3 times per day for 15-20 minutes. Be sure to put a barrier between your skin and the ice pack to avoid nerve injury from the cold.
- Compress the injury with an elastic bandage, sleeve, or brace to keep swelling down.
- Elevate the injury above the level of your heart, especially at night, to reduce swelling and inflammation and drain excess fluid around the ankle.
2. Over-the-Counter Medication:
Over -the-counter (OTC) medication is commonly used for minor injuries like ankle sprains. You can buy them in the pharmaceutical section of grocery stores or other pharmacy stores. Normally, they are used in conjunction with other recovery methods. They include:
- NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like
- Aspirin (Bayer®, St. Joseph®), Ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), and Naproxen sodium (Aleve®)
- Acetaminophen
- Tylenol® and Excedrin®
3. Physical Therapy
When an ankle ligament stretches or tears, the ankle becomes destabilized. Without proper strengthening and reconditioning exercises to rebuild the muscle and restore the ligament’s durability, there is a high potential for reinjury. Athletes might strengthen the ligament by returning to training, but non-athletes should take additional rehabilitation steps. Good ankle strengthening exercises include:
- Daily stretching, especially with the addition of resistance bands or other tools
- Ankle mobility exercises like the “Ankle Alphabet”
- Side-to-side knee swings
- Single-leg balancing
4. Stabilizing Devices
After the initial injury, ankle sprains can be very painful, even if they aren’t very serious. For more severe sprains, you may want to talk to your doctor about crutches or an orthopedic boot. Casts are rarely used, but ankle supports, ankle wraps, and ankle braces can help reduce swelling and give you a sense of stability. When using these items, however, be sure to incorporate strengthening exercises in tandem. Without full weight-bearing activities helping to restrengthen the ligaments, the ankle may become more unstable than it would without the aids.
Need Treatment for a Sever Ankle Sprain? Call Dr. Stacie Grossfeld
If your pain increases, or the at-home ankle sprain treatments do not help your injury, it may be time to seek out a doctor. Dr. Stacie Grossfeld is board-certified in both sports medicine and orthopedic surgery. We can get your ankle sprain back up to standard so that you can continue using your joints to their highest ability. Let us take care of you!
If you or someone you love has suffered an ankle sprain injury in the Louisville, Kentucky-area, board certified sports medicine physician Dr. Stacie Grossfeld at Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC can help. Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC is accepting new patients, and same day appointments are available. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Orthopaedic Specialists PLLC today at 502-212-2663.
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