How To Heal a Sprained Ankle Faster: Expert Advice
Need a foot doctor in Brooklyn, NY, to treat a sprained ankle? Contact Metro Healthcare Partners today to get the help you need.
Ankle sprains rank among the most common sports injuries, but they can happen to anyone at any time, even at work. This type of injury might not seem serious, but it can cause enough pain to limit your daily activities for several weeks. Learning how to treat a sprained ankle can put you on the path to recovery faster.
Our doctors at Metro Healthcare Partners have ample experience providing personalized sprained ankle treatment in Brooklyn, NY. Here, we explain how to heal a sprained ankle overnight, or rather, how to significantly reduce swelling and pain so that you can recover quickly from the injury.
What Is a Sprained Ankle?
Learning how to treat a sprained ankle starts with understanding the condition. A sprained ankle involves a tear or stretch injury to the ligaments connecting and supporting your ankle bones. It can happen if you fall or twist your ankle, causing the tissues to stretch beyond their limits. Auto collisions and workplace accidents can also trigger an ankle sprain.
This injury has three grades, which define the extent of the ligament damage:
- Grade 1: This refers to mild ligament damage, including small tears and slight stretching.
- Grade 2: A grade 2 sprain is a moderate ligament tear injury, but doesn’t indicate a complete tissue tear.
- Grade 3: Severe sprains involve total ligament tears, with significant swelling, pain, and mobility difficulties.
According to the Journal of Athletic Training, sprained ankles account for most musculoskeletal injury cases, with up to 70% of affected patients developing a residual physical disability. StatPearls reports that about 20% of people with acute or sudden sprains develop chronic ankle instability post-recovery.
Common Sprained Ankle Symptoms
Sprain ankle symptoms can range from person to person, depending on injury severity. However, people often experience the following:
- Pain with walking or resting
- Tenderness around the affected area
- Swelling or inflammation
- Bruising
- Reduced range of motion
- Reduced stability
How To Treat Ankles
Knowing how to treat a sprained ankle will help you recover more quickly with fewer risks of secondary injuries.
RICE Method
The RICE method is one of the most common ankle sprain treatments, especially for minor injuries. The steps include:
- Rest: Put as little pressure or stress on the injured foot as possible within the first 24 to 48 hours post-accident. Limit all physical activities that can aggravate your condition during that time.
- Ice: Cold can help reduce inflammation. Wrap a cold pack in a towel and wrap it around your ankle in 15 to 20-minute increments several times daily.
- Compression: Use a compression wrap to help with swelling. Don’t wrap your ankle too tightly to avoid cutting off circulation.
- Elevation: Use gravity to reduce swelling and drain excess fluid from your affected limb by resting it while raised.
Stabilizing Devices
Since sprained ankles are sometimes too painful to walk on, you may need crutches to move around until the swelling and pain subside. An ankle brace can help stabilize your foot and prevent the injury from worsening.
Medications
Anti-inflammatory meds like Advil and Aleve are usually enough for sprained ankle pain management. Acetaminophen can also help.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor may include physical therapy as part of your treatment plan. Physical therapists know how to treat a sprained ankle using exercises to improve its range of motion, stability, flexibility, and strength.
According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, about one in four people with ankle sprains received physical therapy as part of their treatment. The study also showed that the likelihood of recurring injuries increased for each day that rehabilitation was not provided within the first week post-sprain.
How Long Ankle Sprains Take To Heal
Even if you know how to treat a sprained ankle, it doesn’t mean the problem will go away overnight. A minor injury could take up to two weeks to fully heal, while more severe cases typically need 6 to 12 weeks of recovery. Wearing an ankle brace and attending physical therapy sessions may speed healing and reduce the risk of recurrent injuries.
Get Help for Your Sprained Ankle From a Podiatrist in Brooklyn
Recovering after spraining your ankle doesn’t have to be a journey you take alone. At Metro Healthcare Partners in Brooklyn, NY, we know how to treat a sprained ankle and provide personalized solutions for patients depending on their unique needs. We’re a team of board-certified medical professionals with experience providing workplace foot and ankle injury treatments.
Our doctors accept most commercial and private insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, Medicare and PIP(personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ankle Sprains
Learn more about dealing with sprained ankles in Brooklyn with the answers to common patient questions.
How Can I Avoid Spraining My Ankle?
To avoid spraining your ankle, you should warm up before physical activities. It also helps to wear activity-appropriate footwear to navigate different terrains and avoid accidentally rolling your foot while walking or running.
How Can I Tell If I Sprained My Ankle?
You may have a sprained ankle if you’re moving and hear or feel a sudden pop around your foot. However, you could experience pain, instability, inflammation, and tenderness without hearing that sound, so it’s best to visit a podiatrist in Brooklyn for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
What’s the Best Elevation Technique for Ankle Injuries?
To properly elevate your foot with an ankle injury, raise it above heart level using a pillow or chair. This elevation can minimize pain and inflammation by reducing blood flow to the injury site.
Why Do I Need To Know How To Heal a Sprained Ankle?
Learning how to treat a sprained ankle is important because taking prompt action can significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications and help you restore its full function quickly. It also helps reduce the risk of recurrent injuries in the same area.
