Treating A Sprained Ankle

We have all lived through the pain and discomfort of a sprained ankle at least once in our lifetime. This condition occurs commonly in children and sports persons. Some people have a tendency to sprain their ankles more often than others.

Causes- The ligament of the ankle is damaged or torn when the foot is placed at an unnatural angle particularly when the ground is uneven. It can also occur when the joint is forced to change position suddenly. Sportsmen often suffer from ‘inversion sprain’ which occurs due to rapid changes of posture during running or jumping.

Symptoms- It is possible to experience something snapping as the ankle turns. The torn ligament causes the ankle to swell up almost at once. Bruises may be noticed later on. The sprain is almost always accompanied by an excruciating pain and you will be unable to put your weight on the affected ankle for long. The ankle may also feel warm on touching.

Treatment- Pain can be managed by taking over the counter drugs. Swelling also subsides after a time or on taking anti inflammatory drugs. But the most important steps that you should follow while treating a swollen ankle are:

Apply pressure on the sprained ankle by means of a tourniquet or bandage. This helps to immobilize the area and lessen the pain. A tightly wrapped sprained ankle can even support partial weight of the body. Proper rest is required for proper healing of the sprained ankle. Cold compress or applying an ice pack may make you feel comfortable. It also helps the swelling to subside considerably. Propping up of the feet is mandatory when you are nursing a sprained ankle. It helps to keep down the swelling and also relieves the weight on the sprain. Application of heat occasionally will have a soothing effect on the ankle. But make sure that you do it only after the swelling has gone down.

Precaution- People who need to put pressure on their ankles can wear an ankle brace or ankle bands  in order to support their ankles.