When playing sports such as soccer, basketball, and track and field, you need to be aware of what to do when your ankle get injured. Ankle sprain is one of the most common sports-related injuries, and it shouldn’t be ignored even if the sprain is mild because doing so may aggravate the problem.
R.I.C.E Treatment
Sports medicine specialists often recommend the R.I.C.E treatment (rest, ice, elevation, and compression) as a form of first aid treatment for ankle sprain. To avoid further injury to the ankle, you also need to avoid moving it so much. To control the swelling, put ice on it for 15 minutes and apply a compression wrap. After doing all of these, keep your foot and leg elevated decrease blood flow in the ankle. This process should help avoid internal bleeding and keep swelling to a minimum.
Seek Medical Attention
Keep in mind that the R.I.C.E treatment is merely a temporary fix to alleviate the pain. What you should really do is consult a doctor specializing in sports medicine to have your ankle checked. A doctor may request an X-ray and other tests to see the scope of the injury. Knowing the root cause of the ankle problem is important for the doctor to prescribe the best solution.
The treatment and the recovery time depends on the severity of the pain. Ignoring it or thinking that the pain will eventually go away puts yourself at more risk. A neglected sprain can get worse, and a week of recovery time may turn into months. If you’re an athlete, keeping the number of your sports doctor on speed dial is an absolute must.
Colorado Center for Orthopaedic Excellence 