Best Injured Ankle Treatment for a Sprained Ankle
Ankle injuries are common. Even though most of the time, an ankle sprain occurs while performing any athletic activity, people of all age groups are at risk of developing ankle sprains. Still, we often tend to ignore them with something mild or self-healing. And this might not yield very positive results.
Since the mild pain can go on to hinder even regular movements on a plain surface if not given proper care. Therefore, it's necessary to get the correct injured ankle treatment at the right time.
But, to know whether you require professional care or not, you must have enough knowledge regarding the signs and symptoms of this injury. Do not worry as we are here to deliver the same. So, keep on reading to find out every detail that you might need to take care of your sprained ankle.
How to differentiate a sprained ankle from a fractured ankle?
To know whether you are suffering from a sprain or a fracture, it's important to know the difference between these two terms. Even though both happen because of similar kinds of trauma experienced during an accident or fall, a sprain occurs when there is a tear or any kind of damage to ligaments or the connective tissue of the bones.
A fracture on the other hand is used to refer to a break in a bone and might take longer to heal.
Hence, A sprained ankle means that the ligaments present in this area have been stretched beyond their limits or torn.
Types of ankle sprains
Even though an ankle sprain might not sound as scary as a fractured ankle, the level of damage that might happen to the ligament might differ and make it difficult to find proper injured ankle treatment. Based on this, ankle sprains have been divided into 3 grades-
Grade 1- A mild injury where the ligament stretches slightly or might have experienced a small tear.
Grade 2- The ligament is torn but it is not a complete tear.
Grade 3- The ligament gets torn completely.
Symptoms of a sprained ankle
Whether it be a Grade 1 sprained ankle or a Grade 3 sprained ankle, the following symptoms are experienced by all. The intensity, however, is subject to variations.
- Experiencing pain, especially when weight is imposed
- Tenderness
- Bruising
- Difficulty in walking
- Instability
- Limited range of motion
What are the causes of ankle sprains?
Experiencing ankle strain due to any athletic activity is common. But apart from that, there can be other reasons as well. This includes-
- Losing your balance
- Twisting or rolling your foot
- Falling or tripping on uneven surfaces
- Landing inaccurately after a jump
Few injured ankle treatments to try out
The first thing that comes to a person's mind who is suffering from a sprained ankle is to not put any kind of pressure on it and to get complete rest. Apart from this, trying out the following methods would also prove to be of great help since they are easy to follow and effective.
Elevation
One of the foremost things you can do is to elevate your foot using a few pillows so that it's higher than your heart. This will help reduce swelling around your ankle joint.
Ice treatment
Be it any kind of sprain or injury, ice is one of the best first aid. Cold therapy helps in swelling and pain reduction since it numbs the area where it is used. Also, avoid applying ice directly.
Ankle Support
Since compression may also help to ease swelling, using ankle support equipment such as elasticized bandages can be helpful. Dr. Ortho Ankle Binder is one such product which is easy to use and helps ease ankle pain. Its blend of cotton and nylon provides optimum compression and warmth to the ankle without irritating the skin.
Stretching exercises
For recovery from any kind of injury/accident/sprain, it is necessary to include a few stretching exercises as well. This will help with gradual movement while improving the range of motion without any excessive strain.
Massage
Massage helps to improve blood flow in the sprained area. As a result, pain eases. You can try massaging either the bottom of the foot, heel or just above the ankle.
Conclusion
Sprains are a common occurrence and while there are a lot of injured ankle treatments which can be tried out at home if the symptoms don't get better or start worsening, it is better to consult a specialist in that case.
In any case, don't take sprains lightly and opt for immediate treatment for a swift recovery.
FAQs
Q. How long will it take for an injured ankle to heal with home remedies only?
Since ankle injury is very common, you might seem to get relief from it in a few days. A mild injury can resolve completely in a few weeks. But a major one might require a few months to get better thoroughly.
Q. How will Dr. Ortho's Ankle Binder prove to be helpful for a sprained ankle?
Dr. Ortho Ankle binder has an innovative design since it has an opening at the heels. Still, it provides optimum support and compression to the heels and feet. Its wrap-around design covers the feet and ankle part to speed up the recovery process. Also, the use of skin-friendly fabric makes it a comfortable choice for long-term use.
Q. Which exercise is great to try out at home for a sprained ankle?
Ankle rotation is a great pick if you want to start your recovery process. In this, you just need to raise your foot approx. 20 inches from the floor. Then you simply need to turn the foot to the left and then to the right while keeping your toe upward. Do this for 10 seconds, 20 times for each leg.