Orthopedist Questions Orthopedist

How do you sleep with ankle swelling?

My ankle is swelling and painful after landing wrong from a swing. How do you sleep with ankle swelling?

10 Answers

This will likely resolve with time but it is important to make sure you do not have a small break in the bone which can happen even if you think it is just a sprain. Rest,ice, elevate and apply a compressive banage. Go get it checked out!
Raise above the heart level.
You have injured your ankle. That is why it is swollen and painful. You need to have the injury evaluated by a specialist. If there is something seriously wrong, medications can be prescribed for both pain and to aid with sleep, if necessary. But if you are having pain from such an injury, you should have it evaluated if it is keeping you from sleeping. This is not normal.
Elevated with ice
Reducing the swelling can be accomplished with rest, ice and elevation. I recommend you have the ankle examined by a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) for possible underlaying problem, such as fracture of ligament injury
ELEVATE it on pillows
Elevate on pillows and lay on your back.
Elevate your ankle and apply ice to reduce the swelling. You can also use a loose ACE bandage
Enough pillows under your ankles so your ankles are higher than your heart.

Try sleeping with your ankle on a pillow or the pillow secured around your ankle for support.