Sprained Ankle: Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery

Sprained Ankle Treatment

Healthcare professionals advise utilizing the PRICE technique for the first 24-48 hours following injury for the majority of ankle sprains. PRICE includes the following:

• Protection. Use crutches, a splint, or a brace to restrict movement of your injured ankle.
• Rest. Minimize any exercise that could aggravate the sprain (no running, jumping, exercising).
• Ice. To minimize swelling, place ice or a cold pack wrapped in a towel on your ankle for 20 minutes at a time.
• Compress. To assist reduce swelling, gently wrap your ankle in an elastic bandage.
• Elevate. While sitting or lying down, prop your ankle up on pillows so that it is higher than your heart.

Also, anti-inflammatory medicine may help reduce sprain-related discomfort and swelling. In some cases, physical therapy may be advised to help you restore your strength and mobility. Physical therapy is proven to be crucial for effective healing. In rare cases, surgery is required.

Essentially, the majority of sprains heal on their own, however strengthening your ankle can help you avoid further injuries. You risk having chronic instability (ankle sprains that recur frequently) or repeated ankle sprains if you don't give your ankle ligaments enough time to recover. You can have a chronic ankle sprain if your symptoms persist for more than four to six weeks after the accident and you still have weakness when walking on your foot.

Sprained Ankle Prevention

You can do the following to avoid ankle sprains:

• Keep strong muscles by exercising frequently.
• Before exercising or engaging in physical activity, warm up and stretch.
• Watch out for uneven surfaces when you're running or walking.
• If you start to feel fatigued during an activity or a workout, slow down or stop.

Sprained Ankle Recovery Time

The length of time it takes to recover from a sprained ankle depends on how bad the damage was. A small sprain might take two weeks to recover, whereas a major sprain might take six to twelve weeks.

References

Fong, D. T. P., Hong, Y., Chan, L. K., Yung, P. S. H., & Chan, K. M. (2007). A systematic review on ankle injury and ankle sprain in sports. Sports medicine, 37, 73-94.

Ivins, D. J. (2006). Acute ankle sprain: an update. American family physician, 74(10), 1714-1720.

Tropp, H., Askling, C., & Gillquist, J. A. N. (1985). Prevention of ankle sprains. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 13(4), 259-262.

Wolfe, M. W., Uhl, T. L., Mattacola, C. G., & McCluskey, L. C. (2001). Management of ankle sprains. American family physician, 63(1), 93.