Sports Injuries Such As a Sprained Ankle Can Leave You Out Of Action
Keeping in mind that the best advice for a major injury is always given by your doctor, there are several steps that you can take in order to alleviate the pain and aid in the healing process of a mild ankle sprain.
This kinds of injury normally occurs whenever a persons ankle is rolled to far in one direction or the other and the persons tendons as well as their ligaments which provide support and keep it upright are stretched too far. The result is a painful injury that can lead to swelling and immobility. As with any injury, you should immediately ice the ankle. The ice constricts the blood vessels in the affected area, thus restricting blood flow. This restriction in blood flow help to control the swelling. The ice also helps to numb the pain. You should continue to ice the injury for 20 minutes several times a day.
Of course, for minor discomfort you can take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen to relieve some of the stiffness caused by inflammation. If your condition doesn’t improve over a few days and the injury is causing enough pain that it prevents you from walking, you may have to go see a doctor for x-rays. More pain is a clear sign that something isn’t right and you will need a professional’s opinion.
While your tendons as well as your ligaments function to repair as well as strengthen themselves, you might look to take it easy for a period of time. Because they have been over stretched beyond their normal capability, they will not be as strong and the likelyhood that you might injure yourself again is increased when your body is regaining its strength. You can help your body recover by giving the injured ankle some additional support. You can by supportive ankle braces over the counter at many pharmacies or sporting goods stores. These fit tightly over the foot and ankle and offer some support to supplement the natural strength of your ankle, which may be diminished because of the injury. While it is ok to use these supports during the recovery phase, you may want to consult a doctor about prolonged use, as your body can grow to depend on the brace for support and never truly regain its own strength.
There is nothing wrong with trying to treat your injury at home. However, if you have already tried using ice and ibuprofen and you are still experiencing pain or having problems walking, then you should get to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. There are other problems, such as torn ligaments, tendons or small fractures that could also be the result of your injury and the only way you will know this is by having a professional assess the situation.
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