Ankle Sprain Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies

Lateral View of Right Ankle 

Ankle sprain happens when you twist your ankle and the support ligaments are stretched or torn causing pain and swelling. A ligament is a strong fibrous cord that connects your bone to another in your joint.

Ankle sprain is the most common type of sprain. In fact, more than 25,000 people in the United States sprain an ankle each day, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Muscoluskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

Causes

Most cases of ankle sprain occur when your foot is twisted or turned inward while walking or running, during a fall, or landing on your ankle after a jump.

Twisting your ankle can cause too much stretching of your ankle ligaments resulting in pain. Sometimes, tearing of these ligaments can happen making it difficult for you to bear weight on your affected ankle.

Ankle Sprain Symptoms

Ankle sprain symptoms vary and depend on the severity of your injury. If you sprain your ankle, you may have pain, swelling, and bruising. You may have difficulty walking if minor tearing of your ankle ligaments occurs.

In severe cases of sprain, a “popping” sensation may be felt during the time of injury and bearing weight on your affected limb is impossible.

Home Remedies for Ankle Sprain – First Aid Treatment

Most minor ankle sprains can be managed by applying RICE therapy. RICE is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation.

• Rest: You should rest or stop your activity when you injure your ankle if possible.
• Ice: Apply an ice pack on your injured ankle for not longer than 15-20 minutes at a time, four times a day. Make sure to wrap the pack in towel. Avoid applying the ice pack for more than 20 minutes to avoid frostbite. Do this while you are resting.
  
  Applying ice immediately after you sprain your ankle can help relieve pain and reduce swelling. Avoid applying heat during the first 24-48 hours following your injury or when swelling is still present.
• Compression: Compressing your injured ankle may help in reducing swelling. This can be done by making use of an elastic bandage. However, avoid wrapping the bandage too tight since this can limit blood flow to your foot.
  
  Ask your doctor or physical therapist advice on how to properly apply the bandage on your injured ankle.
• Elevation: As you rest, elevate your affected limb on a pillow, above the level of your heart. This can help reduce swelling.

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help relieve your pain. However, aspirin should not be given to children. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor what type of pain reliever is best for you and how much you should take at a time.

When to see your doctor

RICE therapy can be effective for minor injuries. However, severe cases should be looked at by a qualified healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and prompt treatment.

You should consult your doctor if you:

• Have severe pain or are unable to walk a few steps because of significant pain.
• Observe an unusual lump on your affected limb.
• Are not sure about the severity of your injury.

References:
Sprains and Strains. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Available at http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sprains_Strains/default.asp. Accessed on November 17, 2010


Sprains. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine (NLM). Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000041.htm. Accessed on November 17, 2010


Image Credit: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases