Fix a Sprained Ankle at Home
Try These Effective Remedies
Overview – Sprained Ankle
The musculoskeletal injury that affects the widest cross section includes sprain of the ankle. In this case, it is when the ligaments (the tough bands of tissue connecting bones) are stretched or torn because of a sudden twisting or rolling of the ankle. Knowing causes, symptoms, treatment options, recovery time of a sprained ankle will be able to properly manage it and prevent any complications.
Table of Contents
What Is a Sprained Ankle?
Sprained ankle (injury when an unnatural foot movement causes overstretching or tearing of the ankle ligaments). The severity of the ligament damage determines the degree from moderate (grade 1) to severe (grade 3). The most typical kind is an inversion sprain in which the foot turns inside and disturbs the outside ligaments. An eversion sprain is less frequently an injury in which the foot twists outward, tearing the inside ligaments.
How to Find the Best Doctor in Dubai? It is important to have proper treatment and in avoiding long term instability or chronic pain. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE) can quickly alleviate swelling and discomfort, as immediate care can.
10 Easy Home Remedies for Sprained Ankle Pain
Severe sprains will require Doctor on call, Nurse on call attention, but mild to moderate sprains can be treated at home for sprained ankle pain. Here are 10 effective methods:
Weight Management- Avoid weight on the injured ankle and avoid hurting the ankle further. 10 Tips and Tricks to Maintain Your Weight During the Holidays
Ice Therapy – Repeat every 2-3 hours. Apply ice packs for 15-20 minutes.
Elastic Bandage – Put on an elastic bandage which will help to keep the ankle supported and reduce inflammation.
Elevation – Place the foot slightly above the level of the heart to reduce swelling.
Warm water with Epsom salt soak – It is known that warm water with Epsom salt soak can give you some relief from pain in the ankle.
Use of Turmeric- Anti-inflammatory properties helps in reducing pain and swelling Turmeric Paste.
Arnica Oil Massage – It is commonly used to give a massage to heal the affected area in the event of a bruise and swelling.
Ginger Tea – Has some anti-icing capabilities within the body when consumed.
Apple cider vinegar topical application – In case of inflammation it can be effective when squashed onto the affected area.
Light Exercises – Simply walking around to help the limbs regain good flexibility once the inflammation is reduced/Other simple exercises can be done to help restore the affected limbs once the inflammation is out.
Natural remedies to treat ankle sprains
The treatment for an ankle sprain depends on the degree of the injury:
Grade 1 (Mild)
Slight damage of ligament with no or little tearing; cure is by using inflammation reduction: rest, ice pack application and over-the-counter drugs.
Second grade
The athlete may sustain a partial tear of a ligament; treatment may include using a brace and physical therapy.
Grade 3 (Severe)
It is a complete ligament rupture that may require immobilization or surgery sometimes.
Recovery Time
- Mild sprains heal within 1-2 weeks.
- Moderate sprains may take 3-6 weeks.
- Severe sprains may take anywhere between some weeks and several months depending on if they need rehabilitation.
A structured plan must be followed if a person is to regain strength and flexibility after the ankle has been sprained.
Sprained Ankle: Classification
Ankle sprains can be graded depending on the extent of the ligament injury that has occurred.
Grade I- Mild type: very slight displacement of exterior structures, no severe pain, slight swellings.
Age Grade 2 (Moderate Sprain) – Partial tear where one can observe swelling, have Bruising, or even walk with a limp.
Grade 3 (Severe Sprain) – There is tear of ligaments, maximum pain and swelling, and one is unable to use the affected limb.
Sprained Ankle: Signs & Symptoms
The signs and manifestations of the ankle sprain depend with the extent of the injury; however common signs include:
- Sharp pain during movement
- Swelling and discoloration (bruising)
- Stiffness and difficulty walking
- A popping sound at the time of injury (in severe cases)
This means that failure to seek treatment when you have these ankle sprain symptoms is indicated below is always timely.
Sprained Ankle: Causes
- Sudden twists or rolls – this motion is characteristic of some types of movements that are usually performed in such sports as basketball or soccer.
- In other cases, the test subject is exposed to slight variances in incline, which involve walking or running on an unstable surface.
- Wearing improper footwear
- Injury histories or poor genetic structures in the ankle that results to compromised ligaments
Sprained Ankle: Risk Factors
- There are certain elements that predispose a person to ankle sprain:
- Sports participation (high-impact activities)
- Weak ankle muscles or poor flexibility
- Previous ankle injuries
- Wearing unstable shoes
- Uneven terrain or slippery surfaces
Sprained Ankle: Complications
A sprained ankle’s consequences if left unattended are:
- Chronic ankle instability
- Recurrent sprains
- Arthritis in the ankle joint
- Long-term pain and stiffness
Sprained Ankle: Diagnosis
A doctor at home or nurse at home determines that one has a sprained ankle through:
- This physical assessment focuses on whether areas associated with the affected organ are tender and swollen.
- X-rays (to rule out fractures)
- MRI or ultrasound (for severe ligament damage assessment)
Sprained Ankle: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Rehabilitation & Prevention
An ankle sprain is a quite typical injury caused by sudden sideways twisting or rolling mechanism leading to tearing of the ligaments near the affected area. Ankle sprain has been described as a minor twist or strain of the joint but it requires adequate treatment in order to prevent future complications. To this end, we are going to explain how to manage a sprained ankle, the usual time to heal, how to prevent such an injury, home remedies, and when to seek Family doctors in dubai or Nurse at Hotel in Dubai, doctor at hotel in dubai attention, as well as how to schedule an appointment with HealthOne.
Sprained Ankle: Treatment
The first thing to be done in management of a sprained ankle is RICE which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. It also aids in the improvement of blood circulation, reduces inflammation and pain, and assists in healing of the bone tissues.
Rest: Do not bear much weight on the ankle as this can cause more serious harm.
Apply ice packs for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours as this will help reduce swelling that is associated with the sprain.
Compression: One must wrap the ankle using an elastic bandage to limit inflammation of the affected area.
To prevent the formation of blood clots: Keep the ankle 2 inches above the heart level if possible.
In extreme cases of sprained ankles, the doctor may organize for the use of ankle braces, Wellness Packages in Dubai, Regular Health Check-Ups, crutches or physical therapy to facilitate movement.
Sprained Ankle: Recovery Time
He pointed out that the recovery time of an ankle sprain depends on the extent of the injury.
(Mild): This should be treated for 1-2 weeks if proper care is taken.
(Moderate): Duration of 4 to 6 weeks with rest and rehabilitation.
(Severe): Such injuries take 8-12 weeks to recover although a brace or surgery may be necessary in some cases.
In this case, the following forms of treatment will help the affected part to heal much faster: stretching and strengthening exercises of the affected ankle. A person should avoid any vigorous activities so as not to put pressure on the affected area in order to further aggravate the injury.
Sprained Ankle: Prevention Tips
Below are some ways in which one could avoid getting a sprained ankle:
- Shoes should be comfortable and recommended for a particular sport because it provides strong arch support.
- For those who had previous injuries to the ankles, it is advised to wear the ankle braces.
- Specific exercises such as calf raises and other balancing exercises should be taken in to help in the strengthening of the ankle muscles.
- Before exercising, it is recommended to do stretching exercises to enable the free movement of muscles needed for exercising.
- If one is concerned about getting a strain or lifting an injury they should avoid rough terrains especially when jogging or walking.
The following tips on the prevention of ankle sprains will help in avoiding such an outcome:
Home Remedy For Sprained Ankle
This is because managing ankle sprains naturally involves some of the following natural remedies:
Epsom Salt Soak – Helps in reducing inflammation and easing the stiffness of muscles..
-Massage – This gel, mixed with peppermint or eucalyptus can enhance blood circulation.
Even though these home remedies for sprained ankles may be effective, it is advisable to use them as supplements to professional treatment for serious sprain cases.
To Self Treat or Not Self-treat a Sprained Ankle
Many minor sprains can heal with first aid treatments, but a person should seek medical help for a sprained ankle if:
- It’s due to pain and it has not been relieved after two days.
- Some of them are that you cannot walk or bear any weight on the ankle.
- It indicates inflamed, bruised or distorted body organ, inflammation, tumour or swelling of viscera.
- Possible nerve damage can be manifested by numbness and tingling feeling in the affected area.
X-ray or MRI may be advised to rule out fractures or ligament damages by a qualified doctor. This explains why there is an increased need for proper medical intervention in the early stages to address cases of chronic ankle instability.
Book an appointment with HealthOne.
In case of a sprained ankle you need professional help that HealthOne is ready to provide. Here is how you can proceed to make your appointment:
- Book Appointment Online
- Confirm Your details
- Receive Care
Conclusion
A sprained ankle is something that one has to endure for a few days depending on the extent of the damage of the muscles, ligaments and tendons around the ankle region. Some of the effective home remedial treatments for ankle sprains and professional medical treatment can be administered right from the initial moments of an injury to hasten the healing process. More so, in light of the above highlighters, it is possible to take faster healing of the ankle sprain and resume normal activities.
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Your Questions Answered Here
Depending on the degree of the injury most mild rollover injuries take 1-2 weeks to heal while severe rollover injuries may take 2-3 months to recover fully.
Among the measures that have to be taken with a sprained ankle is that one should not walk on it. Use crutches if needed.
A sprain refers to the pulling of ligaments whereas a fracture refers to broken bone. If one cannot bend or rotate the ankle joint or if one feels extreme pain and seriousness of the pain increases with time that too suggests that there is a break in the bone.
Yes, but make sure that the cloth is not too tight for there will be restrictions of blood flow.
Proper footwear, exercises that help to strengthen the tissues around the ankle joint and ankle support braces are other methods used to avoid re-injury.
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