How to Properly Treat an Ankle Sprain

You fell awkwardly and now your ankle is swollen to the size of an apple.  It's clear that you've sprained your ankle, but you are struggling with how to alleviate the pain and decrease the swelling.  As an orthopedic surgeon in Deland, the professionals at Florida Bone and Joint Specialists have seen this case many times.  Sprained ankles can be easily tended to with items found around your home and by slowing down your pace of a life for a few days.  There are a few necessary procedures in order to properly treat your sprained ankle.  

Rest

Once you sprain your ankle, your first priority should be to rest.  Avoid any activities that cause additional pain or swelling in order to avoid further injury and begin healing.  If you sprained your ankle during an athletic performance or game, be sure to sit on the sidelines and take a break.  It is advisable to not return to the game and wait for a trainer to assess your injury.  If you need to be mobile, you may want to use crutches to avoid putting any additional weight or strain on your injury.

Ice

Immediately apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables to your swollen ankle to help prevent further swelling and to start reducing the swelling that has already started.  Even though the coldness will likely be uncomfortable, keep your ice pack on your ankle for at least 20-30 minutes.  Take a break, but then reapply the ice pack every 2-3 hours to keep the swelling down.  This process should be repeated for a few days after the sprain occurs.

Compress

Use elastic bandages to help compress the injury until swelling stops.  Be sure to not wrap your ankle too tightly in order to avoid cutting off circulation.  A healthy blood flow is necessary for a full recovery.  You should begin wrapping your injury at the bottom of your foot and then working your way up your ankle towards your heart.  This will enable good blood flow and rapid repair.

Elevate

To reduce the swelling of your ankle, keep your foot elevated above your heart.  This is especially critical when you are lying down for a long period of time, especially at night.  Gravity will help to reduce the swelling in your ankle by allowing for excess fluid to drain back into the rest of your body.

 

If your injury is severe or your pain is persistent, call a doctor or ankle specialist.  At Florida Bone and Joint Specialists, we pride our service as an orthopedic surgeon in Deland and our commitment to our patients.  We are a group of specialists that treat many ankle injuries ranging from sprains to breaks.  Contact us today to book an appointment if you are concerned about your injury.