4 Treatments for a Sprained Ankle

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries treated by foot doctors. You can sprain your ankle merely by wrong-footing yourself while crossing the street. When you participate in vigorous sporting and exercise activities, you have to avoid ankle twists and sprains. If a sprained ankle or other foot injury doesn’t start to improve after a day of rest, be sure to see your foot doctor.

 4 possible treatments for a sprained ankle may include the following:

1)    The RICE protocol (Rest, Icing, Compression, and Elevation)—Take the weight off the affected foot right away and apply ice or cold pack to reduce swelling and pain. A compression wrap and raising your foot above your heart while lying down will reduce swelling.

2)    Immobilizing boot—You may need to wear a rigid plastic boot to immobilize the ankle joint and reduce the weight and pressure on the foot so the injury can heal.

3)    Surgical repair—In extreme cases, reconstructive ankle surgery to repair damaged ligaments and bones may be necessary.

4)    Physical therapy—After any surgery or immobilizing boot therapy, you will have to slowly strengthen the ankle joint with proper physical therapy exercises for some time. This process will take many months, but your ankle will be less likely to be reinjured.

You should always have even seemingly minor ankle sprains treated with the help of your foot doctor because a poorly treated ankle sprain can lead to improper healing and make the joint susceptible to another injury. James C. Ricketti, DPM of Hamilton Square, NJ (in Mercer County), is a board-certified podiatrist providing state of the art diagnostic and treatment options for all types of foot and ankle injuries, diseases, and deformities. From hammertoes and bunions to diabetic foot problems and sports injuries, you can rest assured that Dr. Ricketti and the staff will get you back on your feet as fast as possible. Please contact our office with any questions or to schedule an appointment. Call 609-587-1674.