Sprained Ankle Treatment

Basic Care for the Sprained Ankle

Basic sprained ankle treatment starts with R.I.C.E - Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Proper treatment of your sprained ankle will speed the healing process and may prevent future chronic pain. Details for treating your sprained ankle: Rest: The first 24-48 hours after you sprain your ankle it is crucial for you stay off your feet as much as possible. Gradually put weight on your foot, avoiding any activities that cause pain. Ice: For the first 48 hours post-injury, ice the sprain for 20 minutes at a time, every 3-4 hours. Icing for longer than 20 minutes may actually do more harm than good as it may damage your tissue. You can use a bag of frozen peas or berries as an ice pack allowing you to re-use the bag. Compression: Use compression when elevating a sprain in early treatment. An Ace® bandage works well for this. Wrap snuggly, but don't cut off your circulation. If your toes become cold, blue, or tingle, re-wrap your ankle. If your circulation is inhibited, the healing process can be slowed. Elevation: Keep your sprained ankle elevated -- try to get it higher than your heart if possible. By elevating your foot you will reduce the swelling. If you are unable to walk, if the swelling is excessive, or your symptoms persist for more than a few days … call your doctor. Once you are back on your feet, it is important to strengthen your ankle to avoid re-injury. Our AnkleTough® Rehab System is the final step in your sprained ankle treatment. The easy-to-use resistive exercise system comes complete with an exercise instruction card to help you strengthen and condition the muscles and tendons surrounding your ankle. Get back on your feet and stay there. Contact DM Systems for your AnkleTough Rehab System.