Rolled ankle what do

In most cases, over-the-counter pain relievers — such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, others or naproxen sodium Aleve, others or acetaminophen Tylenol, others — are enough to manage the pain of a sprained ankle.

Because walking with a sprained ankle might be painful, you may need to use crutches until the pain subsides. Depending on the severity of the sprain, your doctor may recommend an elastic bandage, sports tape or an ankle support brace to stabilize the ankle. In the case of a severe sprain, a cast or walking boot may be necessary to immobilize the ankle while it heals.

Once the swelling and pain is lessened enough to resume movement, your doctor will ask you to begin a series of exercises to restore your ankle's range of motion, strength, flexibility and stability.

Your doctor or a physical therapist will explain the appropriate method and progression of exercises. Balance and stability training is especially important to retrain the ankle muscles to work together to support the joint and to help prevent recurrent sprains.

These exercises may involve various degrees of balance challenge, such as standing on one leg. If you sprained your ankle while exercising or participating in a sport, talk to your doctor about when you can resume your activity.

Your doctor or physical therapist may want you to perform particular activity and movement tests to determine how well your ankle functions for the sports you play.

In rare cases, surgery is performed when the injury doesn't heal or the ankle remains unstable after a long period of physical therapy and rehabilitative exercise. Not overdoing things is key when it comes to sprains. So follow your doctor's advice and don't push yourself or feel pressure to get back into sports or other activities too soon.

Sprains usually heal well, but they need time to get fully better. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is an Ankle Sprain? The signs of an ankle sprain depend on how serious it is. Common symptoms include: pain soreness swelling trouble bearing weight or walking on the ankle bruising What Causes Ankle Sprains? How Are Ankle Sprains Diagnosed? How Are Ankle Sprains Treated? Treatment for an ankle sprain usually includes: protecting the ankle by taping, wearing a lace-up ankle brace, or ankle splint rest to prevent reinjury and limit swelling.

How long somebody needs to take it easy depends on the injury. The bandage should be snug, but not so tight that it digs into the skin, hurts, or causes numbness. Elevating a sprained ankle reduces the accumulation of fluid in the joint. This can ease swelling, which may also help reduce pain. Try sleeping with the foot and ankle propped up on pillows at a level higher than the heart.

When sitting or resting, use pillows or a footrest to keep the foot and ankle elevated. Heat increases blood flow to an injury, which can speed healing. Some people also find that it helps relax tight muscles, easing pain and tension. However, do not use heat while the ankle is still swollen, as this can increase inflammation and slow healing. Once the swelling goes down, try applying a heat pack for 15—20 minutes at a time.

Some people find relief from alternating heat and ice packs. Only try this after the swelling is gone — not immediately after the injury. An injury to the ankle puts nearby muscles and other structures at risk of damage. This is especially likely if the tissues have become weak from disuse. Stretching keeps the muscles strong and limber. It also helps more blood circulate to the area, which may help the ankle heal faster. Gently stretch the ankle by moving it in all directions at least three times each day.

Try flexing the foot forward, then backward, or rolling it clockwise, then counterclockwise. However, it is important to avoid overextending the ankle or moving it in any direction that hurts. The pain and swelling that immediately follow an ankle sprain may be severe. This can make it impossible for a person to put any weight on the joint. As the swelling goes down, walking can promote healing.

Start by walking short distances within the house. Then, gradually build up to longer distances as the ankle begins to heal. However, walking may require a person to hold the injured ankle in an unusual position or twist the body to avoid putting excess weight on the joint.

If this is the case, wait 1—2 days, then try again. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury. Although self-care measures and over-the-counter pain medications may be all you need, a medical evaluation might be necessary to reveal how badly you've sprained your ankle and to determine the appropriate treatment.

Most ankle sprains involve injuries to the three ligaments on the outside of your ankle. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that stabilize joints and help prevent excessive movement. An ankle sprain occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the ligaments that help hold your ankle bones together.

Signs and symptoms of a sprained ankle vary depending on the severity of the injury. They may include:. Call your doctor if you have pain and swelling in your ankle and you suspect a sprain. Self-care measures may be all you need, but talk to your doctor to discuss whether you should have your ankle evaluated.