A swollen ankle is the fairly normal consequence of an injury, which can be painful and uncomfortable if you have to do physical work. If you are injured, it is important to have a doctor examined you as soon as possible. He will be able to analyze it and recommend the most suitable treatment for your situation. However, there are several common remedies that a doctor might recommend to treat an injury. Read on to learn about these techniques and help heal your swollen ankle.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Promote Fast Healing
Step 1. Make a doctor's appointment or go to the emergency room
If you have suffered an injury that causes pain, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Go to the emergency room if you think you need immediate treatment or if you can't see your family doctor right away. During the visit, the doctor will ask you a few questions and check your ankle for any signs to understand the degree and type of trauma. Be honest about your pain and other symptoms to help your doctor diagnose and treat your ankle properly. There are three degrees of injury and include:
- Grade 1 injury consists of a partial tear of the ligament that does not compromise the functionality of the foot and is not disabling. The patient can still walk and bear weight on the affected limb. There is a slight contusion with mild pain.
- Grade 2 represents an incomplete tear of the ligament with a moderate loss of function; this means that weight bearing on the affected foot becomes difficult and crutches are required. Pain is moderate, the area is swollen and bruised. The doctor may also notice a reduction in range of motion.
- The injury is Grade 3 when the tear is complete and the structural integrity of the ligament is lost. In this case the patient is unable to bear weight or walk without assistance. The bruise is severe, as is the swelling.
Step 2. Learn about high ankle sprains
Common ankle sprains involve the anterior peroneal talar ligament, which stabilizes the ankle and is commonly injured if the ankle is "rotated". These injuries affect the "low ankle", but there are also "high ankle" sprains, especially if you are an athlete. These involve a different ligament, syndesmosis, which is located above the ankle. There will be less bruising and swelling with this type of injury, but likely more pain and a longer recovery over time.
Step 3. Follow your doctor's instructions
Once the edema has been analyzed, you must strictly adhere to the treatment plan defined by the doctor to treat the ankle. He will indicate a rest period, advise you to put on ice, compress and elevate the injured ankle. Call your doctor if your symptoms get worse or don't get better after some time.
Ask about physical therapy if you have suffered a serious injury. This procedure can help you speed up the healing process, and exercise reduces the chances of spraining your ankle again
Step 4. Rest your ankle for two to three days after injury
Make sure you don't put any strain on her to speed up your recovery time. This means avoiding sports and other physical activities that involve putting pressure on this joint. You should also avoid working for some time if your job involves being on your feet most of the day.
Step 5. Apply ice
Rest it on your ankle for 15-20 minutes each time to reduce swelling and pain. By putting on ice, you reduce the blood circulation in the area, so the swelling goes down faster; in addition, cold therapy helps to better manage pain. Wrap the ice pack in a towel before placing it on your skin.
After applying it for the indicated time, wait about an hour before putting it again on the ankle. You must avoid over-exposing your skin to the cold so as not to damage it
Step 6. Compress the ankle
This way you limit the movement of the joint. Compression reduces swelling and accelerates recovery. Wrap an elastic bandage or aircast over the injured area.
- Do not hold the compression overnight, otherwise you could completely block blood circulation in the foot causing tissue death.
- Kinesio taping is another form of compression that has been clinically proven to reduce swelling. Ask your doctor or a physical therapist (if trained in this technique).
Step 7. Lift your ankle
The elevation reduces blood flow to the injured area, thus helping to limit swelling. You can lift the limb when sitting or lying down. Use a pair of pillows or blankets to raise your ankle, so it's higher than your heart.
Step 8. Support your ankle as it heals
If you don't put pressure on your foot and avoid standing, you can speed up the recovery phase. You can use crutches or a cane to support yourself when you need to walk. Keep in mind that you will also need help when going up or down stairs.
- When you go up the stairs, you need to take the first step with the sound foot. The leg that was not injured must support the weight of the whole body by applying a force opposite to that of gravity.
- When you go down the stairs, the first step must be taken by the injured foot. In this way the force of gravity helps the injured ankle during the descent.
Step 9. Be prepared that it will take about 10 days to heal
Following your doctor's directions and avoiding putting weight on your injured ankle will certainly facilitate healing, but it often takes about 10 days for a full recovery. Do not try to speed up the recovery time, otherwise you could aggravate the injury. Take days off from work if needed and ask friends and family for help as you heal.
Part 2 of 3: Taking Medication to Reduce Swelling
Step 1. Take NSAIDs with your doctor's approval
Talk to your doctor about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain during the recovery process. These help reduce edema and relieve pain caused by ankle injury. Among the most common are ibuprofen (Brufen) or naproxen (Momendol).
Consult your doctor before taking this class of drugs if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney damage, or diabetes
Step 2. Ask your doctor for more details about celecoxib
This is another NSAID that is effective in reducing inflammation caused by injury. The drug works by controlling the production of prostaglandins, which are responsible for inflammation. You must take it after meals because, if taken on an empty stomach, it can cause problems with the digestive tract.
Step 3. Discuss piroxicam with your doctor
This drug blocks the formation of prostaglandins; it is taken in the form of sublingual tablets that dissolve under the tongue and act directly on the bloodstream, rapidly reducing swelling.
Step 4. Discuss with your doctor the option of surgery as a last resort
Surgery is quite rare for ankle sprains; it is performed only in severe cases, when the joint does not heal even after months of rehabilitation and medical therapies. If your sprain is severe and does not improve after a long period of treatment, talk to your doctor to see if this may be a good option for you.
Part 3 of 3: Reduce Activities That May Increase Bloating
Step 1. Continue making cold packs
Avoid heat while recovering, as it increases blood flow to the injured area and aggravates inflammation. Hot packs, saunas, and steam baths could do more harm than good during the first three days of the trauma. Stay away from the heat for this time and continue with ice packs instead to relieve pain and swelling.
Step 2. Avoid consuming alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while you are recovering as it dilates blood vessels and when these are wider, ankle swelling can get worse. Alcoholic beverages can also delay the healing process, so it's a good idea to avoid them while trying to recover from your injury.
Step 3. Do only low impact movements
If you want to make sure your ankle heals well, don't think about running or doing other high-impact physical activity. These types of exercises can only aggravate the situation. You need to rest for at least a week before returning to your normal activity.
Step 4. Wait before massaging your ankle
You have to leave it alone for about a week. While it might seem like a good idea to relieve pain, the massage would actually further increase the external pressure on the area that is already in pain, thus aggravating the swelling.
