Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist) Questions Sprains and Strains

What is the best way of recovering from a sprain?

My brother sprained his ankle yesterday while playing football. What is the best home treatment for a sprain?

25 Answers

Drink a lot of water
It's best to be evaluated by a specialist
First, see a doctor. Then rest, ice, compression if only a sprain. May need boot or ankle support your doctor after careful exam needs to decide. Static balance training if is only a sprain must get proper training in this by physician not internet. You must do everything suggested do not just do what you “think you need.”
Rest, ice, elevation is the best treatment. If pain continues in one week or swelling worsens, see a doctor
RICE
rest ice compression and elevation
It is best to seek professional treatment to rule out any underlying fractures. Otherwise, rest, ice, and elevation along with compression/immobilization with an ACE bandage or ankle brace of the affected ankle is the best way to treat the ankle sprain. Anti-inflammatories such as Advil or Aleve can also help with the pain.
Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your brother and his sprain. If you know that it is a sprain and not a break or even a chip, the best practices for recovery include ice, rest, wrap/brace and physical therapy. It is important to follow up with a foot and ankle specialist in your area to confirm it is a sprain and not a break.
Thank you for your question.
There are 3 grades of sprain, so it depends how bad your sprain is. Usually a period of 2-6 weeks of immobilization followed by physical therapy and continued bracing for 6 months with physical activity, as long as your improving.
Start with RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). I would recommend an evaluation by a foot and ankle specialist (podiatrist) for further workup and diagnosis
P.R.I.C.E.:
Protection (brace or splint)
Rest
Ice (20 minutes daily)
Comression (ACE wrap or similar)
Elevation
Will need X-Ray to make sure no avulsion of bone
An ankle sprain by itself can be treated with ice and rest. However if it continues you should seek a professional podiatrist or orthopedic physician for x-rays to be sure that there is no bone damage or ligament damage
I always recommend for people to follow up with a Dr. after an ankle sprain. It is important to rehab the area properly; if not treated properly, he could continue to roll his ankle as the years go on. It is also a good idea to make sure there are no broken bones.
The best way to recover from an ankle sprain is to rest, ice, compress, and elevate the ankle on a daily basis. Anti-inflammatory medication can help decrease swelling and pain. Sometimes using a ankle brace can help stabilize the ankle and get shoe back to early mobilization.
The standard treatment is rest, ice, light compression, and elevation. You can try an over-the-counter ankle brace for compression.
Depends on the severity of the ankle sprain. Better see your podiatrist for proper evaluation and diagnosis. In the meantime, ice, compression, and elevation.
R.I.C.E immediate treatment of an an ankle sprain. R = rest; I = ice the affected area for the treatment of pain and inflammation; C = compression therapy with application of ACE wrap or compression ankle brace; E = elevation of the affected ankle-foot above the level of the hips or heart for approximately 1-2 hrs per day (this elevation can be performed in 15-20 intervals). You may want to follow up with a foot care podiatrist or orthopedic specialist.
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation.
Called RICE
The best initial treatment of an ankle sprain is RICE — rest, ice, compression and elevation. If he can’t put weight on the ankle, or it feels unstable, seek professional evaluation.
The classic treatment is RICE. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Oral anti-inflammatories would also be beneficial. Best of luck!
RICE therapy is the best for an acute injury. Rest, Ice, Elevation, Compression. Sprains can take longer to heal than an actual fracture with some people having pain >6 months after injury. If the pain persists >2 months, your brother should seek medical attention.
Rest, ice, elevate, and compress. Wear an ankle brace and possibly a walking boot depending on the severity of the sprain. It can take over a month to fully heal. PT may also be needed to strengthen. Consult with a local podiatrist.
The key to treating a sprain is RICE: rest, ice, compression and elevation. If after 48 hours there is still significant swelling and pain in the ankle, then it is recommended to see a sports podiatric physician or a foot and ankle orthopedic specialist. X-rays would be taken to determine if there is a fracture and the key is protected immobilization. It is imperative to get the swelling down and then in the absence of a fracture, start aggressive ankle rehabilitation with physical therapy or a Home balance and strengthening exercise program.
This is a very complicated situation. One has to be sure that the problem is a sprain and not a fracture. Theoretically it is impossible to sprain and ankle if growth plate is still present. The ligament is stronger than the bone distal to the growth plate. That means that your brother may have actually displaced part of the bone rather than caring or stretching the ligament. If you are sure that there is a sprain, the best way to treat it is with cold for the first 24 to 48 hours, then 15 minutes of heat every hour along with range of motion exercises. For the first week it’s better to treat with an ace bandage and elevation and perform the range of motion exercises that way. The patient can begin weight-bearing when he can tolerate it.
The best therapy is to rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Sometimes an ankle brace may help.
Hope this helps.
Ankle sprains require rest, icing, compression, and elevation. That is the best way to reduce the immediate swelling that occurs with injuries. It is however very important to make sure there is no fracture of the ankle. An x-ray is very important to rule out fractures as it can change the management of the condition.