When you get your ankle sprained, you hurt your ankle joint which connects the foot with the lower leg. It is very common to get an ankle sprain by an unnatural twisting motion when the foot is planted awkwardly, when the ground is uneven, or when an unusual amount of force is applied to the joint. Such injuries can happen during an athletic event or simply while running or walking.

Ankle injuries can cause a lot of pain and can make it hard to carry out your daily activities. Usually, people try to treat a sprained ankle by themselves which could easily make things worse. It is best to get your ankle tested by a doctor. Dr. Matt Ahmadi of ORANGE COUNTY FOOT AND ANKLE specializes in a wide variety of foot and ankle deformities. The doctor would recommend:

Pain Control

For a mild to modest sprain, a few days of home care will help pace up healing. Remember to use RICE (which stands for rest, ice, compress, and elevate) to lessen the pain and swelling.

Rest the sprained ankle. Do not stand on it for at least a day or two. Ice the sprain as often as possible. Apply ice to the injury for 20 minutes. Remove the cold pack and wait around 20 minutes. Then ice again. Protect your skin by applying a bandage or thin towel between the ice and your body.

Apply pressure (wrap) on the swollen ankle with an elastic bandage.

Elevate the sprained ankle above your heart level.

Immobilize Severe Sprains

If the injury or pain is severe, your doctor may tape, splint, or cast the sprain. Once restricted, the torn tissues can rest and heal in the proper position. There’s a chance that you might need to use crutches temporarily if your foot cannot support the weight.

If Surgery Is Needed

In some cases, a sprain can entirely tear a ligament or remove it from the bone. This type of injury may require surgery. After surgery, your foot will be immobilized in a cast to ensure proper healing.

The doctor might suggest a few ways to prevent such incidents as

• Simply wearing the right shoes or as complicated as balance training for athletes.
• Keep your ankles strong and flexible.
• Wear the proper shoes for the activity.
• If you are participating in a sport, you might want to think about having a weak ankle taped to provide extra support.

Such measures can prevent you from any further ankle injuries. To have your sprained ankle treated with the best doctor, contact www.orangecountyfootandankle.com