First Aid For A Sprained Ankle

By Susan Solo

Sprained ankles are one of the most commonly seen sports injuries. They are usually caused by sudden movement or twist that overstretches and tears the supporting ligaments of the ankle joint, causing swelling and pain. This is a common injury especially with athletes and sportspersons who participate in activities that call for a lot of running, jumping and changing directions while playing.

Symptoms And Treatment For Sprained Ankle

Symptoms of a sprained ankle include swelling, which is usually immediate and pain in the ankle joint even with the slightest movement and especially when walking.

It is best to see a doctor if your ankle gets sprained but rendering first aid immediately after the injury goes a long way in helping the ankle heal faster. The most effective first aid for this injury is the RICE treatment.

RICE: General Ankle Treatment

Generally your doctor will advise using the RICE method for treatment. This is an acronym standing for rest, ice, compress, and elevate which refers to the standard form of treatment.

• Rest: In the first 24-48 hours you need to remain inactive and avoid using your injured ankle unless you can maintain a natural gait as you walk. Crutches will help you to get up and sit down.
• Ice: In the first 48 hours you'll need to apply ice to your injured ankle for 20 minutes (never exceed 20 minutes! Tissue damage may occur!) about every 3-4 hours.
• Compression: You'll need to apply pressure to the area to help it recover and the best way to do this is with an ankle wrap. Cover the ankle from your toes all the way to the upper portion of the calf muscle. Make sure the wrap is snug fitting but not so tight that it cuts off circulation (you'll know you've cut off circulation if your toes or foot turn blue, cold, or starts to feel numb).
• Elevate: Keep your injured foot elevated above your heart as much as you can, especially when you're asleep. Always use care when standing after elevating the injured foot.

It is important to remember that the RICE treatment will help if it is a simple sprain. However, it is not always possible to determine whether the swelling is a result of a sprain or whether the ankle is fractured. If you are unable to put any weight at all on the foot, there is a higher chance that the bone may be broken. In this case, you need to seek immediate medical attention and get an X-Ray done to determine whether there is a fracture so that you can get the appropriate treatment.

A sprained ankle can happen anytime and the worst thing is to not have access to medical care when you are in so much pain. When you are need urgent medical attention, the most reliable place to go to is Owl Now Urgent Care. Also check out our new page on Sprained Ankle.

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