The ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries occurred by both athletes and non-athletes alike. According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, there are 25,000 ankle sprains a day. That’s a lot of swelling! Ankle sprains are caused by an unnatural twist of the ankle due to a strange placement of the foot, uneven ground or a large amount of weight onto the joint. This means someone can get an ankle sprain playing a sport or running and they can also happen when just getting out of bed if they step wrong.
When the injury occurs, the tissue surrounding the joint becomes inflamed and causes swelling around the ankle. A person usually experiences pain as well in the sprained joint but the severity can vary depending on how bad the sprain is. Pain can worsen when pressure is put onto the joint, such as standing or walking on the injured ankle. If pain becomes unbearable crutches may be used to relieve the pressure and help rest the ankle.
Rest, ice, compression and elevation (R.I.C.E) are the best ways to treat a sprained ankle. Resting the ankle gives it time to heal and prevents any further injury while the ice reduces the swelling of the joint. Compression and Elevation also aid in reducing inflammation in the joint and compression provides extra support for the ankle. This means you should stay off your foot for approximately 72 hours or more, depending on the severity of the sprain. If you continue to walk on the injured ankle, the swelling and inflammation will not reduce. After swelling and inflammation have gone down, gradually increase activity on the ankle to prepare for daily use. The best ways to prevent ankle sprains are to wear the proper shoes for every activity and to keep your ankle strong and flexible. Also, make sure any playing field is cleared of anything that could cause injury, such as rocks or ditches in the ground.
View our video below of how to treat a sprained ankle with our small 3″ Dr. Cool Wrap