What is the treatment for a sprained ankle?

If you’ve ever been knocked out of commission by a sprained ankle, you know how miserable it can be. There’s nothing quite like hobbling around on one foot like some sort of deranged flamingo, feeling sorry for yourself and wondering when the hell you’ll be able to walk again.

It’s no secret that sprained ankles are common injuries – in fact, approximately 25,000 people suffer from them every day. But fear not! With a little knowledge and TLC (tender loving care), your sore ankle will soon be on the mend.

What is a sprained ankle?

Before we dive into treatment options, let’s first establish what exactly a sprained ankle is (get ready for some medical jargon). A sprain refers to an injury involving ligaments – tough bands of tissue responsible for connecting bones together. When these ligaments get stretched beyond their limits or torn (ouch!), that’s what we call a sprain.

Ankle sprains usually occur when your foot twists inward while your body weight lands on the outside of your foot. This awkward position places excessive pressure on the outer part of your ankle joint, which can result in tearing of one or more ligaments surrounding it.

There are three different grades/severity levels involved with this kind injury:

  1. Grade 1: Your ligament has stretched but hasn’t torn.
  2. Grade 2: Your ligament has partially torn—and whether or not surgery is an option in this scenario all depends if other structures need repair
  3. Grade 3: Your entire ligament has completely ripped away from either its attachment site at bone(s), another structure/attachment point,or stayed attached at only point causing instability

The following information addresses Grade 1-2 types where nearly all treatments involve non-invasive solutions.

Symptoms of a sprained ankle

So how do you know when you have an ankle sprain (as if the pain wasn’t enough)? Here are some common symptoms that can alert you to this type of injury:

  • Swelling: Inflammation and swelling in your ankle indicate that there is blood loss into the tissues; limits normal movement due to swelling.
  • Bruising: Discoloration around swollen area or bleeding under skin tells signs of torn blood vessels
  • Pain and tenderness: Usually occurs along the outer side where foot meets leg. Brusing will make this painful spot larger/contuse shaped.
  • Limited range of motion/movement/can’t walk effectively

All these symptoms signify it may be time for medical attention.

How to treat a sprained ankle at home

If your injury doesn’t require medical attention/broken bones, no worries! There are plenty of things you can do right at home (hmm… let’s hope it involves bubble wrap).

Rest and ice

This is one situation in which an excuse for more Netflix binge-watching might come in handy; rest is crucial with any acute inflammation-type condition. This immediately putting stress on already weakened structures puts structural stability/surgery risks involved/greater risk as compared by simply resting until most swelling goes down prior too activities like physical therapy. Make sure during those ‘bathroom breaks’ from movies going on, use cold ice packs or anything from bags filled with vegetables too glaciers draped over inflammed regions

It’s important not to apply heat after just injuring yourself as heat increase circulation and promote more inflammation causing worsening pain/swelling days later. Icing reduce circulation thereby reducing once again inflammation rather than increasing it.

For about ten minutes every couple hours, use a towel wrapped ice pack placed over injured site/body part helps reduce overall soreness while moving forward/healing properly.. Try not to directly expose ice towards skin, just their packages with towels wrapped around them.

It’s all about mitigating the inflammation!

Compress your ankle

Compression is a go-to option for treating joint sprains. This can be accomplished by wrapping your ankle in an elastic bandage (Ace bandages) or bracing it using velcro straps that are adjustable. It’s important to apply compression firmly but not so tight as to cause any additional discomfort/pain!!!

You’ll likely need a buddy/partner/spouse/mommy/somebody else do this – unless you’re highly skilled enough wrap your own foot sufficiently! The up-side though is that following through with this ‘norm’ usually earns many ice cream points/food credit/alcohol injections from on-base medical center.

Elevate your injured foot

This serves two purposes: reducing swelling along providing pain relief.

It’s helpful raise sore limb like lower leg and above hip height; good time practice lounging when off work duties/responsibilities…

Cushion pillows under surface of weight-bearing cushions/furniture type object or anything accessible at home will aid propping effected area before elevating over pillow-ridden elevation (should resemble a ski-slope). This helps blood levels back track from top/bottom limbs/other elevated areas channels all thro, cutting back on unnecessary inflammation/swelling/pain years later.

Note: If there appears no improvement within week following self treatment get examined by physician/re-elect podiatrist call in backup reinforcement assistance (just don’t try doing any crazy moves thinking “I’m Wolverine now”).

Professional Treatment Options

If rest and recuperation processes aren’t effective or if symptoms worsen –it may be best seek outside help. Here are some common options:

Physical Therapy:

A physical therapist can assist going beyond simply resting the injury by strengthening every component generally responsible for overall walking, standing, jumping/etc. Not only can therapy also aid assisting in returning you back tot he free-throw line faster but may actually decrease chances of similar injury to occur elsewhere.

Physiotherapy may help the healthy lay foundation for safe/successful movements/strengthenings. They have various ways/equipment to restore functionality-using hot cool hydromassage,gait balancing exercises and muscle enhancing equipment all available/enlisted by local therapists/doctors schools everywhere!

Bracing:

The latest technologies are helping treat current injure while preventing further damage if future accidents should ensue! Most health/orthopedic stores offer a variety of ankle braces suitable/cost effective for all lifestyles depending on configuration/injury level dictates medical advice merited suggested doctor appointments.

Braces come in several variations rangin from inflatable slip-on cuffs inclosing foot that secure w/ velcro or nylon mesh outer shell designed keep lower body sturdily secured not brittle like nature’s shellfish

hmmm…shells (witch laugh)

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Conclusion

So there you have it – everything you need to know about treating sprained ankles! Long story short: rest, ice, compressing then elevate when necessary return normal usage is key with self-crucial play hard/rest all harder protocol. Remember try stay off recently injured site avoid heated surfaces contact physician/podiatrist with bothersome injuries causing champaign problems down the road; anybody would happily accept wine bribes received following your speedy full recovery!

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