First Aid Tips for an Ankle Sprain

A sprained ankle may sound like a minor injury, but these soft tissue injuries can be extremely painful. One of the best ways to manage a sprained ankle is to perform proper first aid. Here are some tips from the  physical therapists in Woodstown or Mullica Hill, NJ, who work at Woodstown Physical Therapy that will help you take proper care of your sprain.

Rest

The best way to help your ankle heal is to rest it for the first several days after the injury. Take it easy, and use crutches if you need to move around. If you can’t use crutches, get an ankle boot or brace to take off some pressure.

Ice

Ice is better than heat to reduce the inflammation that comes with an ankle sprain. Do 20 minutes of ice every few hours throughout the day to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.

Compression

If your ankle is swelling, some gentle compression using a bandage wrap can help. You don’t want to compress it too tightly, as this could reduce circulation, but mild compression can help keep swelling down.

Elevation

Whenever you can, lie down with your leg elevated above your heart level. Elevation helps promote healing and reduce swelling. The better you can manage the swelling, the more quickly you will heal.

Medication

Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications are what our physical therapists in Woodstown or Mullica Hill, NJ, will recommend for the first few weeks of your injury. These can make the pain more manageable and also help with swelling.

Professional Assessment

As soon as possible, get your ankle evaluated by a doctor to ensure there are not any additional injuries to be concerned with. As long as it’s just a sprain, you should follow up with physical therapy at Woodstown Physical Therapy to strengthen and support the ankle. Schedule an appointment today to start rebuilding your strength.