Early treatment for an ankle sprain is called the RICE approach:
- Rest. You may need to use crutches until walking isn't painful without them.
- Ice. Put ice or a cold pack on your ankle for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake). Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
- Compression. An elastic compression wrap will help decrease swelling. Wear it for the first 24 to 36 hours. A protective brace should also be worn if you try to bear weight on your injured ankle. Don't apply the wrap too tightly. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, or swelling in the area below the bandage. Compression wraps don't protect your ankle, but they do remind you to be careful of your ankle.
- Elevation. Raise your ankle above the level of your heart for 2 to 3 hours a day if you can. This can decrease swelling and bruising.
For pain, you can try an over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
It may help to wear hiking boots or other high-top, lace-up shoes for support. But be careful. Don't force your foot into a boot if you feel a lot of pain or discomfort. For severe sprains, you can try a splint or brace.
Your doctor may suggest that you keep some or all of your weight off your ankle as it heals. If so, learn to use your crutches or your walker properly and safely.
After the early swelling and pain decrease, rehab exercises can help to make sure your ankle heals right, prevent reinjury, and avoid ongoing problems.
Almost all ankle sprains heal on their own with proper home treatment and rehab exercises.
Surgery to repair torn ligaments is usually only considered when there is a severe ligament tear (or tears) or if the ankle is still unstable after rehab. Surgery may also be an option if you have broken a bone.
