One misstep is all it takes for a person to trip and sprain their ankle. Sprained ankles in Joliet are one of the most common problems podiatrists treat. People who have twisted their ankles should apply the following treatment as soon as possible to reduce pain and speed of their recovery time.
Decrease the Pain and Swelling
To do this, people need to get off their feet and begin the classic RICE regimen. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If possible, people should immerse their sprained ankle in ice-cold water for 15-20 minutes as soon as possible.
When a cold bath for one’s foot and ankle isn’t immediately available, an ice pack will do the trick. Ice the foot 3-4 times each day for 15-20 minutes until the swelling subsides.
Podiatrists also recommend wrapping the ankle in an ace bandage to compress it and further reduce swelling in between icing. It’s recommended that for 24 hours following the onset of the injury that people do nothing to aggravate the ankle and increase the swelling. This includes walking on it, using heat packs, and even taking a hot shower or bath.
When to See a Doctor
Most sprained ankles get better on their own with the home remedies described above. However, if the pain worsens or the swelling doesn’t go down, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a foot and ankle doctor. The foot might not be strained but fractured, which requires a completely different treatment approach. For questions about sprained ankles in Joliet, contact the team at Business Name today.
