What Helps a Sprained Ankle Heal Faster?

A sprain of the ankle can be quite disruptive to your life and ability to perform not just extracurricular activities that you like to engage in, but everyday mundane activities, the ease of which are generally taken for granted and suddenly become difficult. The pace of healing a sprained ankle will depend primarily on your body's ability to recover, but there are multiple things that you can do to speed up this process. First and foremost, you need to be accurately diagnosed with an ankle sprain and make sure that no bones have been broken or ligaments or tendons are torn. Dr. Luis Perez from Hollywood Podiatry Associates can guide you on the best path forward to healing your sprained ankle in Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, FL.

What immediate actions should I take after spraining my ankle?

An ankle sprain occurs when ligaments in the ankle, which connect bone to bone, have been stretched with a force beyond the capacity that they are meant to withstand. There are multiple ways in which your ankle can be sprained, but immediate action is standard with all types of ankle sprains. Right after the injury, you should follow the RICE method. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

• Rest: Proper healing cannot take place without sufficient rest. You need to stay off of the ankle for a short time
• Ice: Icing the area will mitigate swelling. While some inflammation is necessary for the healing process, it must be tempered. Icing the area will also help with the pain.
• Compression: Compression of the area will also help to mitigate inflammation and swelling.
• Elevation: When elevating an in juried area, it should be higher than the level of your heart. With a sprained ankle, for instance, the ankle should be raised on a pillow when you are lying down. Gravity then acts as an assistant to help with circulation from the fluids in your ankle to your heart.

How long should I perform the RICE method and when should I see a doctor?

Think of the above method as 'first aid' for your injury. If, after a few days, your pain and swelling have not decreased, it is time to see a doctor for your sprained ankle in Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, FL if you have not already.

There is research to say that after the initial few days of healing and rest, specific, targeted exercises should be initiated earlier than previously thought. Your doctor can guide you on the appropriate activities to perform and how much longer you need to incorporate the RICE method and stay off of your ankle.

Contact us for more information

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Perez from Hollywood Podiatry Associates to heal your sprained ankle in Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, FL in the most efficient, effective way. Call us at (954) 923-1800.