Methods to assist Heal a Sprained Ankle

Jul 24, 2012 by HaleTasia842

Accidental twisting of ankle joint followed by soreness and swelling will be the classical triad of ankle sprain. Alleviation of agony would be the quantity one particular endeavor to achieve though dealing with ankle sprain. Advancement in number of motion & strength is also equally important. Protection of sprained ankle will be the priority to avoid recurrence of sprain while ankle is still in the healing phase. Ankle brace support is necessary to obtain long term relief from pain and swelling.
There are amount of predisposing factors which can put someone at high risk for developing ankle sprain. They include poor muscle tone, small joint capsule, obesity, nutritional deficiencies, over training etc. The lateral ankle ligament would be the most commonly injured site. Majority of ankle sprains are inversion sprains of the lateral ligaments, only few cases being aversion sprains of the deltoid or medial ligament. The Anterior talo fibular ligament will be the most likely component of the lateral ankle complex to be injured in a lateral ankle sprain.

Most ankle sprains are self-treated and are never reported to a GP. Sprained ankles have been estimated to constitute up to 35% of injuries seen in sports medicine clinics and are the most frequently seen musculoskeletal injury seen by primary care providers. The prognosis for isolated and adequately treated ankle sprains is very good.

The initial phase of treatment should last for 2-4 days after the injury. The goals of acute treatment are to control soreness, minimize inflammation, and maintain or regain Choice of Movement. Protective devices include air splints or plastic and Velcro braces. Most sprains can be treated without casting. Depending on the severity of the sprain, protective devices are used for 6-30 days. Target to be achieved with ankle brace is smooth Number of Motion, particularly with dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Use ice to control inflammation, suffering, and muscle spasm. American Orthopedic Association recommends that the patient should apply ice for 15-20 minutes, 3 times daily. Recommend the use of compression with an ACE wrap, an elastic ankle sleeve, or a lace-up ankle support. Advise the patient that further support of the ankle can be facilitated by wearing high-top, lace-up shoes to reduce the inflammation. Always encourage elevation of the injured ankle to facilitate the reduction of swelling. Partial immobilization with a stirrup or lace-up ankle brace is usually used instead of casting to avoid long term complications of muscular atrophy and loss of movement. The use of no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in treating sprains is debatable as some physicians argue that the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs are helpful in decreasing inflammation, which ultimately increases the speed of recovery. Others believe that acutely used NSAIDs can lead to increased inflammation if, owing to platelet inhibition, bleeding occurs. If NSAIDs are not used, acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol, Anacin Aspirin Free) or other discomfort medicines may be required for soreness control in some athletes with moderate to severe ankle sprain.

Dr Rakesh Patel has been in the field of ankle sprain for a long time and maintains a website about ankle brace where you can get answers to the rest of your questions.