How to Treat a Sprained Ankle

A sprained ankle is actually an injury to the ligaments that hold the ankle joint in place. It is usually a result of one or more ligaments being stretched excessively and suddenly causing them to tear, most often due to exertive physical activity. It could well be due to a fall or blow to the ankle or due to a sudden twisting of the ankle. Though they are not usually very dangerous, a sprained ankle can result in a tremendous amount of pain and can make walking a horrendous exercise. Depending on the severity of the tear, sprains are either classified into ‘first degree sprain’ to ‘fifth degree sprain’. A first degree sprain refers to a minor damage to the ligaments and usually heals on its own, while a fifth degree sprain often results in an amputation of the leg. Sever sprains are usually accompanied by a swelling in the affected region. Almost always there is a pain that increases with putting weight on the injured ankle. If you find that your ankle is sprained and there is a huge swelling coupled with unbearable pain, it is always advisable to seek medical attention in order to correctly ascertain the extent of the tear and to rule out dislocations or fractures.

Minor sprains can be treated quite easily using a number of home remedies. The first thing to do is to use a cold compress on the affected ankle. Take a cloth soaked in cold water or an ice pack and gently apply it onto the affected area, focusing on the swelling and the pain. Continue this for at least half an hour, repeat every two hours for one whole day and you will find the swelling visibly reduced. Now bandage the ankle using crepe in order to compress the ankle ligaments and restrict movement of the sprained ligaments. A lot of rest too is necessary to aid the ligaments in healing. When resting, make sure your injured leg is at an elevated position compared to the rest of the body. This treatment known as RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) is a highly effective remedy to help heal your sprained ankle quickly. In order to best expedite the healing process further, protect your sprained ankle using splints. Get this done from an orthopaedician in order to avoid further injury. Use crutches while walking so as not to exert pressure on the injured ligaments. These simple steps if followed go a long way in healing a sprained ankle and alleviating the pain.