As one of the most common types of injuries, a sprained ankle can leave feeling a bit helpless. Unlike a bone break that is set in a cast, sometimes the treatment options for a sprained ankle aren’t that cut and dry. However, by consistently icing your ankle, taking anti-inflammatories, and wrapping it, you can help to feel like your normal self and get back to doing the things that you love before you know it. Read on to learn more about how you can treat your sprained ankle.
Ice It
When it comes to any sports related injury, nothing is going to be your best friend quite like ice. Not only is ice a natural way to curb the inflammation from your injury but it also numbs it so that you don’t experience too much pain. When icing your ankle, try to use something that is moldable so that it wraps around your ankle. For instance, ice your ankle with either a soft gel ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables.
Take an Anti-Inflammatory
Some people are skeptical of taking any medication— even if it’s over-the-counter. And although it’s good to be cautious about what you put in your body, there’s a time and place for certain things like anti-inflammatory medications. By not only helping you deal with the pain and tenderness caused by your sprain, but an anti-inflammatory will also stop the inflammation in your ankle from the inside out.
Wrap It
Wrapping your ankle after a sprain will help to keep it in place so that you immobilize it and don’t further exacerbate the issue. When wrapping your ankle, use some an ace bandage. Starting at the ball of the foot, work the bandage up your ankle applying a little pressure. Remember that it should be tight enough, so there isn’t a lot of movement but loose enough that it doesn’t cut off the circulation.
Spraining an ankle can take weeks, if not longer, to recover from. If you have a sprained ankle follow the tips above or contact Great Lakes Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for more tips.
