Ankle Sprain Needs Immediate Treatment

Ankle sprain causes tendonitis which causes the patients to have a red swollen ankle. If the patients have severe pain and cannot put pressure on the ankle, it might have ruptured the tendon and have caused a bone fracture in the ankle. Thus, it needs immediate treatment.

In case that the patients have mild symptoms of an ankle sprain, the patients should receive immediate first aid for ankle sprain which is called “PRICE”. “PRICE” stands for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. The patients can prevent additional trauma and pain by resting and stop using or avoiding weight-bearing on their ankles, or they can use a trusty cane. Besides avoidance of weight-bearing on the ankle, leg elevation and cold compression with an ice pack to help promote good blood circulation and reduce the swelling are recommended. Basically, the ankle sprain symptom will get better within 2 -3 days and the ankle will be back to normal within 2 -3 weeks. But, if the ankle has more pain and swelling, the patients should seek medical treatment, and the doctor might order MRI scan to check whether there is any trauma or ruptured tendon in the ankle.

In case that the patients have chronic ankle sprain and instability, the doctor will provide medication treatment along with rehabilitation to increase the strength of the tendon around the ankle and practice the ankle’s balance and stability. Besides the treatment, the patients need to wear ankle support to help protect the ankle and prevent additional trauma. However, if it does not get better in 3 – 6 months, the patients may need to undergo the lateral ankle ligament reconstruction surgery. 

For more information, kindly contact Orthopedics Center, 3rd Fl., Vejthani Hospital or call +66(0)2-734-0000 ext. 2298 or +66(0)85-223-8888 (English Hotline).