Ankle sprains often occur without warning, abruptly ending the activity that led to the sprain and altering the course of your day. For severe sprains, residents of Canton, Stow, and Rittman, Ohio, have access to Aaron Chokan, DPM, Kristina Minniti, DPM, and the rest of the team at Ohio Foot and Ankle Center.
Knowing how to treat an ankle sprain can help you get back on your feet and back into the swing of your normal daily routines as quickly as possible. It can also help you avoid making matters worse by placing additional strain on your ankle.
Icing a sprained ankle is a good idea. Cold temperatures can not only reduce the pain signals traveling from your ankle to your brain but also help reduce inflammation. Swelling is one of your body’s ways of coping with an injury, but it is also a leading cause of pain.
The best options are ice packs, which contain ice cubes or a frozen or partially frozen solution. A bag of small frozen vegetables, such as peas or corn, is also a great choice.
If you’re using ice, be sure it’s enclosed in a bag, a cloth, or another protective cover. Placing ice directly on your skin can cause frostbite or additional tissue damage. It can also trigger new pain sensations, making you even less comfortable.
You can also try making an ice slush by adding crushed ice or small cubes to a container of water. Submerging your foot and ankle in the container is one of the quickest ways to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
There are times when being tough and pushing through pain can be helpful. But when it comes to musculoskeletal issues like a sprain, pushing too hard can complicate your recovery process.
Listen to the messages your body is sending. Pain serves an important function by warning you that something is wrong. Ignoring those signals and continuing the same activity that led to the sprain is a bad idea.
A sprain occurs when one or more of your ligaments is damaged. Ligaments work to hold two bones together. While they are an incredibly strong type of tissue, they can still be torn or stretched out of the normal position.
If you experience an ankle sprain, try to rest for a few days. Avoid activities that place strain on your ankle, and consider elevating your ankle when possible to give your body a chance to heal.
While it’s important to give your body time to rest and recover, staying off your feet for too long can lead to a whole new range of problems. When you sustain a musculoskeletal injury, your body quickly adapts. The tasks and weight load that the damaged body part was responsible for are distributed elsewhere.
However, your damaged joint needs to undergo a range of motions in order to heal properly. Waiting too long to return to safe activities can complicate your healing journey.
Ask your Ohio Foot and Ankle practitioner to let you know when it’s time to begin moving your ankle again and which stretches and exercises are the best place to begin. Moving the joint reduces the risk of stiffness and also improves circulation, which is an essential part of the healing process.
If your sprained ankle isn’t responding to at-home self-care efforts like those outlined above, don’t feel like you have to wait for the pain to become unbearable before you reach out for help. The practitioners at Ohio Foot and Ankle Center have extensive experience diagnosing and treating ankle sprains.
We can help you achieve your treatment goals and return to your normal life after an ankle sprain. You can always reach out to Ohio Foot and Ankle Center online, and we’re also happy to speak with you by phone during normal business hours.
