Getting Help With Foot Troubles

How To Relieve Ankle Pain From A Sprain

30 April 2015

Ashley Stewart

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of things, such as a sprain or even something as severe as arthritis. No matter the cause, ankle pain can be quite difficult to endure and deal with. Here are a few tips that will help you relieve pain or discomfort in your ankles.

Protection

Once an ankle is sprained, it may become permanently weaker and less stable in comparison to the other ankle, even after the ankle heals. A sprained ankle is far more likely to become sprained a second time. Therefore, while your ankle is healing, you should take care to protect your ankle from re-injury. You can do so by applying tape, a brace, or a splint to your ankle to support it while it heals. It will take a few weeks for the swelling to subside, but it could take a few months for the ankle to heal fully. Also, you should putting pressure and weight on your injured ankle. During the first few days, you should try to move as little as possible to prevent further injury to your ankle. Use a cane or crutches to walk if you absolutely must.

Ice Your Ankle

To relieve the ankle pain from a sprain, you should ice your ankle with a bag filled with ice. Try to ice your ankle in multiple, short sessions instead of icing your ankle in one session for a long period of time. Ideally, you should apply a bag of ice to your ankle about five times a day for the first few days after the sprain occurs. The ice will help reduce the swelling you will no doubt experience from a sprained ankle. The cold temperature will also help numb the pain and discomfort.

Compression

Another way you can relieve ankle pain from a sprain is by resorting to compression. Use an elastic bandage to wrap your injured ankle tightly. Ensure that you do not wrap your ankle so tightly that it becomes numb. Loosen the bandages if any part of your foot becomes blue or purple from the compression. The compression should help reduce the swelling and pain that you experience from the sprained ankle.

As you can see, there is no need to suffer from the pain and discomfort of a sprained ankle. Just follow the tips listed above and you will likely be successful in relieving some of the pain and swelling that often comes with an injured ankle. See a doctor like those at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center of Palatine if these measures aren't making a difference.

Share