How to Correctly Treat a Sprained Ankle

The ankle is the part of the body most commonly sprained. Correct and early treatment improves recovery.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acetaminophen
• Elastic bandages
• Crutches
• Heating pads
• Aspirins
• Handkerchiefs
• Ice packs
• Hand towels

First Aid and Continued Treatment

1. Elevate the ankle to the level of your chest and rest the injury as much as possible.

2. Apply an ice pack or a cold compress to the ankle, 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off, for the first 48 to 72 hours. Ice causes blood vessels to constrict. When vessels are constricted, less swelling and bruising will occur.

3. See your doctor or go to the emergency room if pain and/or swelling is moderate to severe.

4. Check your toenail bed for blanching every 12 hours for the first 3 days. This will ensure that you have adequate circulation going to your foot.

5. Check the pulse in your foot. Lay the tips of your fingers on the top of your foot, right in the center, about 2 inches below the ankle. You should feel a bounding pulse. If you feel a weak, thready pulse, the circulation to your foot may be compromised. Call your doctor.

6. Look at your foot. Make sure it is not gray or bluish. This is a sign of poor circulation. Even though your ankle is sprained, the circulation to your foot should be sufficient to keep it looking pink.

7. Consult your doctor about taking acetaminophen or aspirin for pain. Never take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.

8. Apply warm compresses or a heating pad, 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off, after the first 2 to 3 days, or as recommended by your doctor.

9. Wrap an elastic bandage around the ankle when you walk on it. Use a long, 2- to 3-inch-wide bandage, and start wrapping 8 inches above the ankle.

Make a Makeshift Splint If You Have to Walk Right After Injury

10. Use your shoe for the splint. Unlace your shoe, but don't take it off.

11. Twist a large bandanna or hand towel into a sling-like roll. Place the center of the roll under the foot in front of the heel of your shoe.

12. Cross the ends of the roll up and behind the ankle; cross over the ankle and go down below the foot again.

13. Bring the ends of the roll back up and tie them together.

14. Walk slowly. Shift most of your weight to your other leg. Let the homemade sling steady your ankle until you can sit down and rest.

Tips & Warnings

• To check for blanching, press the nail on your big toe with your thumb; as soon as you release, your nail bed should turn pink. If your toenail is not pink after 6 seconds, the circulation to your foot may be compromised. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room.
• Practice your blanching test on the toenail bed of your uninjured foot before trying to check for blanching on the toe on your injured foot.
• Practice finding the pulse on the top of your foot on your uninjured leg. It can be a tricky pulse to find.
• When you apply an elastic bandage, be sure it's not too tight. The bandage should be loose enough to slide one finger under the wrap. Wrapping an ankle too tightly impairs circulation and can damage delicate ankle and foot tissue.
• Children under 18 years of age should never be given aspirin unless specified by their doctor. Give children acetaminophen.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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[rubidolly]

on 9/22/2009 I sprained mine because I was skipping :D
Its been a week already and Its still all purplely :P

[stacyrhea]

on 5/15/2009 I did a face dive and sprained my ankle and messed up both of my knees. I am in so much pain! I went to the ER but the pain meds they give me suck. Its been two days and my ankle is baseball size. :(

[treecott]

on 2/2/2009 On saturday I fell & twisted my ankle, spraining the ligaments on the outside of my ankle. It is still swollen, and sore, but I can now, some 40 hours later put my foot to the floor, and bear some weight on it, so there is hope to you all out there.

[Jaker788]

on 10/21/2008 I tripped on the stairs this morning and landed on my ankle sideways it dident hurt to much at first but after 1 min it hurt very badly I limped to all my classes and it hurt very much (one of my fears is going to the school nurse) PE was hell but i lived though school I can be tough but that isent always good. tomorrow I will go with crutches!!!

[wile1701]

on 1/20/2008 i have sprained my ankle many times,both feet(one at a time,of-course). most of them occurred when I'm playing basketball.i have experienced both mild and severe sprained ankle,and some of them were not treated correctly or properly.mt feet still works,functioning normally though,but im afraid that when i get much older it will torment me and the way i walk...
so take care of your foot, treat them properly whenever you injured them.