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What is the treatment for a sprained ankle?

If you have sprained your ankle, it is important to: • Stop the activity you are doing; • Rest your injured ankle; • Apply icepacks regularly to the ankle to reduce pain and swelling; • Apply compression using firm bandage to stabilize the joint and reduce swelling; • Elevate your ankle. This can be remembered using the mnemonic RICE - rest, ice, compression and elevation. Also, avoid exercise, alcohol, heat and massage for two days after your sprain. Once swelling has improved and pain is controlled, it is important to gently and gradually start using your ankle. Physiotherapy may be used and could include: • An exercise program to improve mobility and strengthen the surrounding muscles; • Advice regarding ankle braces and tape use during activities, and; • The use of a wobble board or trampoline to promote balance. Surgery may be needed if the ankle injury is severe, there is an associated fracture or the ankle injury is not improving even with physical therapy.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is ankle sprain?

Ankle sprains are a common sports injury. An ankle sprain occurs when there is an overstretching or tearing of the ligaments that support the joint, resulting in pain and swelling. Ligaments are a strong connective tissue that hold bones together. Most commonly, …

What is the ankle?

The ankle joint connects the foot and the leg. The ankle joint has three interlocking bones - the shin bone (tibia), a thinner bone running alongside the shin bone (fibula), and the heel bone (talus). The bones are stabilized by muscles, tendons and ligaments. There are …

What are the symptoms of an ankle sprain?

Symptoms of ankle sprain include pain and swelling. The pain is often felt when moving. The swelling can last hours to days, depending on how bad the sprain is. There can also be bruising around the heel.

What are the types of ankle sprains?

Ankle sprains can range from mild to severe depending on the degree of damage to the ankle ligaments: • Mild (grade I) - only minimal stretching or tearing of ligament(s); • Moderate (grade II) - ligament(s) are partially torn, or; • Severe (grade III) …

How is an ankle sprain diagnosed?

Ankle sprain is often diagnosed by physical examination. An X-ray can be taken to check for a fracture. An MRI scan is only performed in cases where a severe ankle injury is suspected.

What are the complications of an ankle sprain?

The main complication associated with ankle sprain is the increased risk of repeat sprains due to the stretching and loosening of ligaments caused by previous sprains. There is also the possibility of an underlying fracture.

What is the long-term outlook for a sprained ankle?

Once you've sprained your ankle, you are at increased risk of spraining it again. This is because ankle sprains result in stretched and loosened ligaments. If you've sprained your ankle, it is important to take steps to prevent spraining …

How do you prevent ankle sprains?

You can reduce your risk of ankle sprain by: • Warming up before sport or exercise; • Wearing supportive shoes; • Avoiding risks such as wet or uneven ground that might result in an accident causing injury, and; • Wearing ankle braces or tape as directed …

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About this article

Author: Dr Joanne Van der Velden PhD, BSc (Hons)
First answered: 24 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Votes: 272 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Gout

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