ORTHOPEDIC TIPS FOR THE TREATMENT OF A ANKLE SPRAINED

There are cases in which unexpected things happen, such as when you try to do a new gym routine or exercise and, unexpectedly, step on a curve. This makes your ankle swollen and painful, therefore, visibly shows all signs of sprain. A sprained ankle is the most common injury that affects people of all ages. It is performed when the ligaments that support the ankle exceed their average range of motion and, therefore, stretch or break.

Paying immediate attention to your ankle sprain can help you extremely speed up your recovery and decrease pain. To help you manage your condition, our experts at the Boca Raton Orthopedic Clinic have gathered some care advice for the treatment of an ankle sprain.

The first step is to check for signs of a sprain. These include:

Abrupt, sharp pain that makes you stop moving instantly or that takes away weight from your ankle when you move

Specific pain that is found where the injured ligament is located

Swelling and bruising at the location of the sprain.

Inability to make certain movements of the ankle.

If the symptoms are visible, you must make sure that the injured ankle is protected. Do not attempt extensive movements with your ankle sprain, and protect it from any type of activity by restraining it with a splint or clamp. The immobilization of your ankle sprain helps inhibit major injuries and decreases swelling and inflammation. According to the orthopedic clinic of Boca Raton, doctors who do not protect the twisted area will delay their recovery and will hinder the initial recovery phase.

The next step is to follow the treatment protocol R.I.C.E

Rest: Be sure to rest your ankle avoiding activities that could cause pain in the affected area. You can use crutches to move around, while making sure your ankle is resting. By resting, you are allowing your ankle to release the pressure and stress from the injured joint, while allowing the swelling to subside. For a faster recovery, you can also do stretches and simple movements with the ankle, as long as they do not cause pain.

Ice: putting ice on the twisted ankle reduces pain and swelling. It is advisable to do this every one or two hours for 15 to 20 minutes. When you put some ice on the ankle, be sure to use a cloth, this will serve as a barrier against the skin to prevent an ice burn from occurring.

Compression: you can wrap a simple elastic bandage around your ankle for a very light compression. The purpose is to reduce inflammation, reduce pain and stabilize the joint. Remember to loosen or remove the bandage before going to bed.

Elevation: raising the ankle will also help reduce swelling and pain. You can stack some pillows under your ankle while lying down, be sure to raise your ankle above the level of your heart.

You can also relieve your pain by using creams or over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, ibuprofen or naproxen.

After several days of following the treatment protocol R.I.C.E, it is most likely that your ankle sprain has healed, which will allow you to continue with your usual activities. If the extent of your sprain varies from moderate to severe, then you should follow these treatment steps for several weeks or longer.

Get professional help if any of the following occurs:

The joint is obviously deformed.

The injured person is pale or shows an unstable pulse rate

The injured person experiences tingling, paralysis or extreme pain

If the scenarios mentioned above are related to you, you should seek professional help to receive the appropriate treatment and immediate attention.