Ankle sprains are considered normal and occur to people of all ages. However, an ankle sprain can lead to severe injuries too. To determine your ankle injury, you can consider several doctors, including Dr. Jordan D Cameron. Your doctor will determine the level of your damage and provide you with appropriate treatments.
A sprain in your ankle can be caused when your ligaments get stretched beyond their limits and tear. The level of a sprain depends on the severity of the incision. Most sprains are minor and can be treated at home in the following ways:
Use ice
Using ice packs on your sprains can reduce internal blood flow to the injury and help in the damage’s healing process. You can apply ice for 10-20 minutes on the sprained part, which will help comfort and heal the injury.
Practice stretching
Stretching keeps your muscles strong and increases blood circulation in that area. However, be extremely gentle while stretching and roll your foot clockwise and counterclockwise at least 2-3 times a day.
Give your body rest.
Make sure you give your body rest. Resting will help your foot heal slowly as excessive walking, standing, or exercises can cause further complications.
Use compressions
Wrap your foot in a bandage. Compressions will help your ankle heal and reduce any swelling. However, make sure you do not wrap it too tightly or cause complex blood circulation.
Elevate your foot
To reduce swelling from your foot, elevate it above your heart level. You can try this remedy at night that helps drain all the excess fluid from the swelling.
Epsom salt
You can soak your ankle in a warm Epsom salt bath. Epsom salts will soothe the soreness and help reduce stiffness from your ankles.
Painkillers if necessary
Ankle sprains are not extremely painful; however, you can try OTC medications that help reduce pain if you suffer from unbearable discomfort or pain. However, if you are on other medicines, consult your doctor before consuming any additional drug.
Natural practices
Many anti-inflammatory ingredients can be found in your pantry. One of the very famous poultices to reduce pain is to heat oil, garlic, onion and then apply it on your ankle. Apply a bandage on top and keep it for a few hours. Many poultices can be found online; however, be extremely careful and do not practice any remedy without having proper knowledge of its effectiveness.
Your sprained ankle can heal within a few days or can even take up to 8-12 weeks to completely heal, depending on the severity of your injury and the type of treatment you adopt. However, if your ankle pain and discomfort do not disappear after these remedies, seek medical attention immediately.
