Sprained Ankle

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Put ice on the injury for 15 to 20 minutes each hour for the first 1 or 2 days. Put the ice in a plastic bag and place a towel between the bag of ice and your skin.
• After the first 1 or 2 days, you may put heat on the injury for the next 48 hours to help relieve the pain. Apply the heat for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. You may use a heating pad (set on low), a whirlpool bath, or warm, moist towels.
• For 48 hours, keep your foot lifted above the level of your heart whenever possible. This will reduce pain and swelling.
• Activity:
  • Stay off your feet for 24 hours. You can then begin to slowly walk more on the injured ankle as the pain allows.
  • You may walk on your ankle until it begins to hurt too much to continue.
• Use crutches or a cane until you can stand on your ankle without having pain.
• If you have a plaster splint:
  • Wear it until your doctor says you may take it off or until your follow-up visit.
  • Do not push or lean on it or it may break.
  • Do not get it wet. You may take it off to take a shower.
• If you have an air splint:
  • You may blow more air in it or take some out to make it more comfortable.
  • You may take it off at night and when bathing.
• You may have been given an elastic bandage (ace wrap) to use either alone or with a plaster splint. If your foot or ankle feels numb or tingly, the bandage is too tight. You can rewrap it to make it comfortable.
• You may take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help ease the pain.

Call Your Doctor If...

• Your bruising, swelling, or pain is getting worse.
• Your toes below the injury are cold when you touch them, feel numb, or turn blue or grey.