I Just Sprained My Ankle - Now What?

Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. Most sprains occur during activities that include running, jumping, or walking.

Initial management of an ankle sprain includes:

• Rest: Rest and protect the injured area. If it hurts to bear weight on the injury, use crutches. If it hurts to move the area, immobilize it with a splint.
• Ice: Apply ice or a frozen object, such as a bag of corn, to the injury. The cold will reduce swelling and pain at the injured site. This step should be done as soon as possible. Apply the frozen object to the area for 20 minutes three times a day for the first 48 hours
• Compression: Compress the injured site by applying an Ace bandage. This will decrease swelling of the injured region. Although the wrap should be snug, make sure it is not too tight as this can cause numbness, tingling, or increased pain
• Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart as much as possible. This technique will also assist in reducing the amount

A trip to the doctor is also advisable to determine the severity of the sprain. Most sprains will take several weeks to improve with some requiring therapy for rehabilitation.