One of the most common injuries to the ankle is an ankle sprain. This occurs when a ligament is stretched or torn. Ankle sprains can range from first degree to third degree. A first degree sprain is characterized by a minimally stretched ligament, while a third degree sprain involves a complete tear of the ligament.
Signs of an ankle sprain may include:
- Tenderness or pain
- Bruising
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Inability to move the ankle
- Instability or looseness of the joint
Treatment:
The first stage of treatment involves a formula for rest, ice, compression, and elevation and is typically referred to as RICE. RICE therapy is continued for 24 to 48 hours following the injury and may be accompanied by over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help decrease the pain and inflammation.
RICE Therapy
-Rest
Reduce regular exercise or activities of daily living as needed. Your physician may advise you to put no weight on an injured area for 48 hours. If you use a cane or one crutch for an ankle injury, use it on the uninjured side to help you lean away and relieve weight on the injured ankle.
-Ice
Apply an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times a day. A cold pack, ice bag, or plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a towel can be used. To avoid cold injury and frostbite, do not apply the ice for more than 20 minutes.
-Compression
Compression of an injured ankle may help reduce swelling. Examples of compression bandages are elastic wraps, special boots, air casts, and splints. Ask your provider for advice on which one to use, and how tight to safely apply the bandage.
-Elevation
If possible, keep the injured ankle elevated on a pillow, above the level of the heart, to help decrease swelling.
The second stage of treating an ankle sprain rehabilitation, whose overall goal is to improve the condition of the injured area and restore its function. The physician will prescribe an exercise program designed to prevent stiffness, improve range of motion, and restore the joint's normal flexibility and strength. Some patients may need physical therapy during this stage. When the acute pain and swelling have diminished, the physician will instruct the patient to do a series of exercises several times a day. These are very important because they help reduce swelling, prevent stiffness, and restore normal, pain-free range of motion. The duration of the program depends on the extent of the injury, but the regimen commonly lasts for several weeks.
Another goal of rehabilitation is to increase strength and regain flexibility. Depending on the patient's rate of recovery, this process begins about the second week after the injury. The physician will instruct the patient to do a series of exercises designed to meet these goals. During this phase of rehabilitation, patients progress to more demanding exercises as pain decreases and function improves.
