According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, approximately 25,000 ankle sprains occur each day in the United States. An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments holding the ankle bones in place are stretched beyond their limits. Ankle sprains often occur during intense physical activity, but can occur even in simple circumstances such as walking on an uneven surface. Once an ankle sprain happens you have a few options to treat the injury.
Ice
One of the first things you should do when an ankle sprain occurs is ice the ankle. Although heat can help increase the flow of healing cells into the injured area through the bloodstream, heat can also increase the amount of swelling that occurs. For this reason, ice should be used to help decrease blood flow to the area, which will in turn help control the swelling.
Elevation
The next step in treating a sprained ankle is elevating the affected foot to a height even with or above your heart. You can achieve this by siting down and putting your foot up on a stool or pile of pillows. Elevating the affected ankle will help blood flow away from the injury site, which will help control the inflammation.
Medication
An is often accompanied by a fair amount of pain, especially when pressure is placed on the ligament. In most cases, over-the-counter medications are strong enough to dull the pain and help you feel comfortable. According to the Mayo Clinic, medications such as Ibuprofen and Aleve are suitable options for pain management for a sprained ankle.
Compression
Compression is another option to help treat a sprained ankle. Compression is an easy way to help control inflammation, and can be done by gently wrapping the ankle in medical bandages or Ace wrap.
Medical Intervention
Although a sprain can often be treated from home, more serious sprains may need the help of a medical professional. Most commonly your doctor will treat a sprain by immobilizing the ankle. This can be done with an air cast or a walking boot. In some cases where the ligament has been severely damaged, surgery may be required to repair the ligament.
Physical Therapy
Most doctors will recommend some sort of physical therapy routine to be practiced two to three days after the injury occurs. This usually involves exercises for motion, flexibility, balance and strength. These exercises promote healing of the ligament as well as prevent the ankle from becoming stiff. The proper exercises can also help decrease your chances of re-injuring the ligament in the near future.
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