• Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Ankle Sprain

How to Treat a Sprained Ankle At Home

Feb 18, 2021 |
By Nicola Corbett, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

A sprained ankle is something that can affect anyone at any age. Rolling or overstretching the ankles can lead to a sprain if the ligaments in your ankle are pulled hard enough. Sprained ankles are a common problem, especially for athletes. Since ankle sprains tend to happen when you're running or jumping, playing volleyball, soccer or football are the top sports where athletes are likely to experience an ankle sprain.

Levels of ankle sprains

There are three types of sprains: mild, moderate and severe.

• Mild: The ligaments in your ankle are stretched but not torn. You are still able to walk. However, your ankle is swollen and stiff.

• Moderate: One ligament might be entirely or partially torn. Walking is painful, and the ankle is tender to the touch. Your ankle is also swollen and stiff.

• Severe: Complete tears in the ligaments, making the ankle feel unstable. You cannot walk—intense pain with severe swelling and bruising.

No matter the severity of your sprain, you should treat your ankle right away.

At-home ankle sprain treatments

• Rest: The first step in treating a sprained ankle is to let it rest. Take the weight off it; try not to move it too much and consider crutches if the pain is bad enough.

• Ice: Use ice or a cold pack on the affected area. Put some ice in a kitchen towel and place it on your foot for about 30 minutes. Don't place the ice directly onto your skin. Don't exceed 30 minutes and wait at least an hour in between icing. This will help reduce swelling.

• Compression: The third step is to compress the area. Using something like a wrap or ankle sleeve can help with swelling, pain and recovery time by constricting movement and offering support to the injured area. Compression is not always necessary in treating a grade mild sprained ankle. However, it will make the recovery period more comfortable and faster. Make sure not to wrap it too tight!

• Elevation: The final step is to elevate the foot, preferably to above the heart level. The best way to do this is by laying down on a couch or bed with the foot resting on the armrest or footboard.

You can also take over-the-counter pain medications, like ibuprofen, to alleviate the pain.

When to see a doctor after an ankle sprain

If you cannot walk on your ankle or the pain feels extreme, it's time to go to the doctor. Your doctor can take an x-ray of your ankle and perform a physical exam to determine if any ligaments have been torn and how serious the injury is. You should also see your doctor if your pain continues and you are concerned that your ankle is healing improperly. However, please note that injuries like these will take time to heal, so you must be patient.

Recovering and strengthening after an ankle injury

For your ankle to heal well and be strong enough to lift your body, you'll need to perform some stretches while recovering. You can use an elastic band on your ankle to pull it towards you or flex it back, you can write the alphabet in the air with your foot or you can stand against a wall to stretch it.

How to prevent a sprained ankle

You can't predict every time you might fall, but you can be ready if you do. First, start by wearing supportive shoes and watching where you walk. For example, wearing heels when it's icy outside isn't the wisest choice. Instead, wear something sturdy, like boots. You can also prevent a sprained ankle during exercise by taking the time to warm up first. During your workout, pay attention to your body. If you feel worn out or in pain, stop; you don't want to risk an injury.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, find a foot and ankle specialist today to get the relief you need.

https://www.ochsner.org/services/foot-and-ankle.

Tags
Ankle Sprains
Foot and Ankle

You may also be interested in:

Hurt ankle
Food & Fitness
Jul 2, 2020

Ankle Replacement or Fusion: Which Procedure is Best for You

Arthritis comes in many forms and affects different joints, but regardless of the type, it hurts. Ankle arthritis is no exception.
By Sara Galli, MD
Hurt ankle
Conditions & Treatment
Jan 19, 2021

What is Orthobiologic Therapy?

Some ligamentous and tendinous injuries require surgery, but many injuries can be managed conservatively using orthobiologics.
By Shannon Clemons, MD
481481303 Summertime Feet
Prevention & Wellness
Sep 4, 2020

7 Ways to Protect Your Feet This Summer

Don't let your feet ruin your time outdoors this summer.
By Kyung Seo, DPM

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Pinterest

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Hello Health Seminars
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Healthy Living Tips, Delivered Right To Your Inbox

* indicates required


Must Reads
Food and Fitness
Men’s Health
Parenting
Women’s Health

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:


Get Weekly Health Tips

Select the weekly newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your weekly newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox every week.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide