Rolled ankle how long to ice

Some of the forms of injury which can cause a Rolled Ankle or Ankle Sprain are if there is severe inward turning or outward turning of the ankle then it can cause the ligaments to stretch excessively. This can also occur if the foot is placed on an uneven surface in an awkward position like when crossing an uneven curb resulting in a fall.

If there is excessive force applied to the ankle as a result the individual may also hear a popping sound associated with foot and ankle pain and swelling of the ankle. The amount of force which is exercised on the ankle determines the grade of sprain that the individual has.

A mild sprain is classified as Grade 1 sprain and a severe sprain is classified as Grade 3 whereas moderate sprains are classified as Grade 2. If an individual suffers a Rolled Ankle, then the individual will experience severe pain in the ankle.

There will be visible swelling of the ankle and the ankle will have reduced range of motion. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the severity of the injury. In case of there is tearing of the ligament then the individual will experience ankle instability.

In some cases, there will be complete dislocation of the joint. It is imperative to consult a physician as soon as an injury occurs. The treating physician will order x-rays to rule out a fracture. On palpating the injured ankle, there will be pain and tenderness.

Once fracture is ruled out, the grade of the sprain will be identified by the physician based on the severity of the symptoms. It may be painful for the individual during physical examination as the physician will touch the area and also move the foot in certain directions to look for the severity of the injury which may cause pain. In cases where there is complete tear of the ligament then there will be instability of the ankle.

If the physician suspects a tear of the ligament then he or she may order an MRI of the ankle to look for the severity of the tear and also to confirm the diagnosis of Rolled Ankle. There can be two ways of treating Rolled Ankle, one is the usual conservative approach and the other is the surgical way to treat the problem. Usually, in cases of minor sprains, the swelling may last for a couple of days during which the individual may find it difficult to walk due to pain and may have to use crutches to ambulate.

Depending upon the grade of sprain, the physician may order cast, boots, or splints for the foot for speedy recovery. Most of the cases of Rolled Ankle need just a period of rest for it to heal.

Of course, just using rest and ice will help ensure that this inflexibility and weakness will never improve. One of the biggest issues with rest and ice as a primary treatment is that it does not confront one of the most important aspects of the healing process.

When you get any kind of injury, there is always damage to the nerves and the ability of the central nervous system to communicate with them. We take this kind of communication for granted and just assume our body will do what we tell it to do.

Rest and ice do next to nothing to heal this neuromuscular damage. Think about this for a second… you have a sprained ankle and you are sitting around with your foot up on something for weeks or months.

When you stop using muscles, you know that they get weaker. If you continue to rest and rest without any strengthening or stretching, not only will your ankle heal much slower, but it will always be more susceptible to injury, because all the stabilizer muscles that protect your ankle will be severely atrophied.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is going back to their regular life once they feel good again. The problem is that your ankle is still really weak and susceptible to injury. Most people never even consider it. So, what does all this mean? A grade 2 sprained ankle should not be treated at home unless you or someone who can care for you is a medical professional.

Grade 2 sprained ankles often involve a partial tear in ligaments. Several things, such as too much pressure or even a minor second injury, can severely compound the ligament tear.

A doctor is likely to tell you to treat the injury at home but will be able to provide more clarity in how you should go about that. While you have room for error in the treatment of a grade 1 ankle sprain, you certainly do not in the case of a grade 2. Finally, you might receive a grade 3 ankle sprain. If you do, you need to forget the idea of home treatment.

A grade 3 sprained ankle could mean ligamentous rupture, which can cause permanent damage to the joint. Besides that, bruising and swelling will be extensive. The joint will be entirely unstable, and walking on the ankle will be nearly impossible. You must see a doctor in this case, as a grade 3 sprain could be or lead to several other injuries, most notably avulsion fracture. An avulsion fracture occurs when the ligaments are torn from the joint. Grade 3 sprained ankle recovery time is highly variable.

The most accurate estimate I can provide is 3 to 6 months, but that will depend on the injury and the doctor. Some are more conservative in the amount of time they allow for recovery, which is often for the best.

Sprained ankle recovery time should be treated as an investment for a healthier future. Restlessness is common and understandable, but the annoyance is better than pain. If you or a loved one is experiencing pain, talk to an ankle doctor at Orthopedic Associates.

Specialists Aaron D. Schrayer, M. Willenborg, M.