4 Treatments for an Ankle Sprain
An ankle sprain is a common injury that often happens while participating in sports and exercise, but it can also occur during everyday activities like crossing the street and awkwardly rolling your foot over a curb or accidentally stepping in a pothole (while staring at your phone!). Even a minor ankle sprain can be painful, and it can be difficult to determine the extent of the injury until you have rested the foot.
If pain and swelling do not substantially subside after a few hours, you may need to see your foot doctor for a physical examination and any necessary imaging studies to check for broken bones, stretched and torn tendons, and other soft tissue damage that may require surgery to repair.
4 non-invasive treatments for a sprained ankle may include the following:
The RICE protocol—(rest, ice, compression, elevation). Take the weight off the injured foot to help prevent further injury. Rest while lying down and raise your foot on a pillow above the level of your heart. Apply an ice pack for ten-minute intervals to reduce pain and swelling. A compression wrap is also helpful.
Pain relief—Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be taken in moderation to reduce pain and swelling.
A rigid walking boot—a rigid, plastic walking boot may be required for several weeks to immobilize the ankle so healing can occur.
Physical therapy exercises—After the initial healing period (that can range from weeks to months depending upon the severity of the injury), physical therapy exercises will be necessary to gradually restore strength, flexibility, stability, and motion range without causing a new injury.
If you have an ankle injury, be sure to see your foot doctor for the proper evaluation and treatment recommendations. Get in touch with Stream Podiatry, located in Valley Stream, New York. With access to advanced technologies, our foot and ankle doctors, Dr. Andrew Shapiro, Dr. Michael Barkin and Dr. Sajni Shah can help you manage all of your foot and ankle conditions including, heel pain, ankle sprains, toe deformities, fungal toenails, and plantar warts. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today.