Ankle Sprain Treatment - Easy Ways to Treat a Sore or Sprained Ankle

A sprained ankle is one of the most common orthopedic injuries. It usually occurs when a sudden sideways or twisting movement of the foot causes the ligament to be stretched too far, and is either partially or completely torn. .

This can occur while playing sports if you happen to land or jump on an uneven surface or can even be caused by something as simple as slipping on ice or stepping off of a curb wrong.

While ankle sprain treatment is easy enough to apply on your own, it is important to visit a doctor if you believe the injury is more serious than just a sprain.

Here are the best remedies for a sprained ankle.

The most important thing you can do to quicken the healing of an ankle sprain is to stay off of it as much as possible.

While this might seem like common sense, too often people will try to work or walk through the pain, which will only worsen and prolong the condition.

Use a splint, ankle brace or crutches for any occasions you need to get around, otherwise keep off of it as much as possible.

Icing down you ankle within the first 48 hours after receiving the injury is vitally important in helping to keep the swelling down, thereby helping you recover quicker. After that time period it is not nearly as effective.

You can place ice cubes in a plastic bag, or use a frozen bag of peas or a frozen bag of corn. Anything frozen that gives you have the ability to mold it around your ankle (for example, a frozen steak wouldn't work very well here).

Apply gently to the area, but move it frequently to avoid getting frostbite on skin. Do not ice for more than 20 minutes at a time, Give yourself at least a 45 minute break before icing again for another 20 minutes.

Continue to do this as often as is convenient over the first 48 hours.

It is very important that you do not apply ice directly to the skin. Be sure there is at least a plastic bag or towel between the ice and your skin.

Elevation is also important in helping keep swelling down, plus it helps ensure you stay off of it.

Simple place a few pillows under the injured ankle while you are lying down or sitting in a chair or sitting on the couch.

This should elevate the sprained ankle high enough to keep swelling to a minimum when combined with the ice treatment.

While the best ankle sprain treatment is to keep off your injured ankle as much as possible, there might be times when you have no choice but to be up and around.

Under these circumstances it is important for you to compress the ankle by using an ankle brace or an ace bandage.

Wrap it snugly enough to help keep the ankle in correct position, but be sure not to wrap it too tightly, otherwise you can reduce circulation and actually cause it to take longer to heal.

While most twisted or sprained ankles will heal on their own in a fairly short time period, it is important to visit a doctor if you believe the injury might be more serious.

if you find you cannot walk on the ankle at all, there is a significant amount of swelling, there is pain in the foot or above the ankle, or your symptoms do not improve quickly or persist beyond a few days, it is quite possible that you might have an ankle fracture. 

It is important to have a doctor x-ray the ankle to see if a break or fracture is involved.

For Even More Home Remedies

Please visit Home Remedies for Everything