RehabFAQs

ankle rehab when still swollen

by Katelin Klocko Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The early treatment for an ankle sprain is the "RICE" method of treatment. 2 This is focused on reducing swelling and reducing pain:

  • Rest: The first 24-48 hours after the injury is considered a critical treatment period and activities need to be limited.
  • Ice: Applying cold to your injury helps reduce swelling and helps with pain. While ice packs can be helpful, there...

It is common for some residual swelling to remain within the ankle joint in the latter stages of rehab. Mild swelling that does not affect function or cause pain might be fine and you can still return to activity. However, ideally you should not have swelling after activity and this is indicative of good healing.Aug 31, 2016

Full Answer

Why is your ankle still swollen after months of recovery?

Jul 30, 2020 · Gently stretch the ankle by moving it in every direction three times a day. For instance, flex the foot forward, backward, roll it clockwise, and counterclockwise. But never overexert your ankle and listen to the pain. Avoid forcing your ankle into a direction that hurts. Walking Once the swelling goes down, try walking to promote healing.

What is the normal recovery time for a sprained ankle?

May 29, 2011 · The early treatment for an ankle sprain is the "RICE" method of treatment. 2 This is focused on reducing swelling and reducing pain: Rest: The first 24-48 hours after the injury is considered a critical treatment period and activities need to …

How long does it take for a sprained ankle to heal?

Many patients benefit from utilizing an over-the-counter compression sock during the day to help keep the fluid from building up in the foot and ankle. Ice, elevation, and ankle pumps – moving the foot up and down like working a gas pedal – after being …

How to reduce recovery time for a sprained ankle?

Feb 08, 2007 · If you have severe pain and swelling, rest your ankle as much as possible for the first 24–48 hours. During that time, immerse your foot and ankle in cold water, or apply an ice pack (be sure to cover the ankle with a towel to protect the skin) for 15–20 minutes three times a day, or until the swelling starts to subside.

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How long does an ankle injury stay swollen?

Swelling normally doesn't appear immediately. It could take several hours to develop. If you develop swelling, it could last up to 48 hours for a mild to moderate sprain. Swelling on severe sprains may last longer until your torn ligament heals.Oct 26, 2021

What if my ankle is still swollen after a month?

Most ankle sprains heal by elevation, ice, and over-the-counter medication. But if you can't walk and there's no improvement, call a doctor after five to six days or if your sprained ankle still hurts after 1 month. You may have a bone fracture instead of a sprain, so it's crucial to seek medical advice.Jul 30, 2020

Why is my sprained ankle still swollen after 3 weeks?

"An ankle sprain that lingers beyond 3 months is often an injury to a bone, tendon or ligament that is unlikely to heal without intervention," he says. "And the longer an ankle injury persists without proper treatment, the greater the likelihood that permanent disability will result."Nov 10, 2020

Why won't my ankle swelling go down?

Lingering inflammation, scar tissue, or a partly torn ligament can occur in the hollow place in the side of the anklebone called the sinus tarsi (sinus in Latin means hollow or sunken and the tarsus is the ankle). This is the most common cause of the sprained ankle that won't heal.Jun 19, 2007

Why is my foot still swollen after 2 months?

After you suffer an injury, swelling usually worsens over the first two to four days. It can then last for as long as three months as the body attempts to heal itself. If the swelling lasts longer than this, your physical therapist or doctor may need to take a closer look to determine the cause of the delayed healing.Mar 24, 2022

Will my ankle ever heal?

While you might be able to walk on your sprained ankle, it will never completely heal if keep putting pressure on your ligaments. In addition to the usual symptoms, there may also be a bone bruise of a bone chip. Bone damage could take six to twelve weeks to heal, while ligament damage could take three to six months.

How long should you stay off a sprained ankle?

Depending on the severity of the injury, she advises patients to avoid any impact on the injured ankle, including running and other athletic pursuits, for four-to-six weeks before gradually working up to previous levels.

How do you know when a sprained ankle is healed?

To determine whether your ankle has healed enough for you to return to athletic activities, your physical therapist or doctor will evaluate your walking and weight bearing ability. They may also ask you to hop on that foot. You may need an X-ray or other diagnostic imagery to determine whether healing is complete.Mar 11, 2021

What helps ligaments heal faster?

The high concentration of platelets helps your ligament heal faster than it normally would.

How long do ankle ligaments take to heal?

Mild, low-grade ankle sprains will usually heal in one to three weeks with proper rest and non-surgical care( such as applying ice). Moderate injuries may take between three and four weeks. Because of limited blood flow to the ligaments of the ankle, more severe injuries may take between three and six months to heal.Aug 12, 2019

Why is my ankle not healing?

Damage to the interior bones, ligaments, and cartilage can cause the ankle to not heal properly. Scar tissue or trapped fluid can also cause persistent pain. A visit to your foot specialist to undergo physical imaging and diagnostics is needed to find the proper treatment plan as every injury is different.Aug 1, 2020

Can a sprained ankle be permanent?

All it takes is one harmless misstep to leave you with a sprained ankle. While it's one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in people of all ages, it can lead to permanent damage if you aren't careful.May 20, 2020

How to treat a sprained ankle?

If you’re unsure how to treat a sprained ankle, know you must rest, ice, compress, and elevate. Resting your ankle is key for healing as it stops you from putting pressure on the inflamed tissue.

How long does it take for an ankle injury to subside?

As a result, you’ll have some pain and stiffness but your ankle feels stable. The ankle injury should subside in a few days.

How to recover from ankle injury?

The first step toward recovery is to regain normal ankle mobility. 3  Mobility can be limited by pain and swelling; therefore, in order to effectively treat restricted motion, try to address pain and swelling. After ankle injuries, range-of-motion activity should start as soon as possible. 4  Rarely do injuries require immobilization (as in a cast or boot), since most injuries can be treated with early motion exercises. Check with your doctor to determine when it's okay to start motion activities.

How to treat a sprained ankle?

The early treatment of an ankle sprain is the "RICE" method of treatment. 3  This is focused on reducing ankle swelling and alleviating pain: 1 Rest: The first 24-48 hours after the injury is considered a critical treatment period and activities need to be limited. Gradually put as much weight on the involved ankle as tolerated and discontinue crutch use when you can walk without a limp. 2 Ice: Ice application is effective to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. While ice packs can be helpful, there are special ice wraps that are made to mold to the joint. 3 Compression: Use compression in the early phase of ankle sprain treatment. Using an Ace bandage, wrap the ankle from the toes all the way up to the top of the calf muscle, overlapping the elastic wrap by one-half of the width of the wrap. The wrap should be snug, but not cutting off circulation to the foot. 4 Elevation: Keep your sprained ankle higher than your heart as often as possible. This can also help to dramatically reduce swelling. Keep in mind, propping your ankle on a chair while you are sitting up does not elevate above your heart.

How to prevent ankle sprain?

Strengthening Exercises. Once motion has been achieved and swelling and pain are reduced, you should start strengthening the ankle. 3  Following an injury such as a sprain, the ankle will be weak and susceptible to reinjury. Ankle-strengthening exercises can help prevent reinjury and return you to normal activities.

What to use for ankle sprain?

While ice packs can be helpful, there are special ice wraps that are made to mold to the joint. Compression: Use compression in the early phase of ankle sprain treatment.

What is the final step in recovery from ankle injury?

3  This may include drills aimed at cutting, pivoting, or jumping, such as those that mimic movements of your chosen sport. It is important to perform these activities in a simulated environment before returning to your normal sports activities.

How to move your foot through all the basic ankle motions?

The most frequently recommended active-motion activity is to "write" the alphabet in space with your big toe. Start with printing the alphabet, then try cursive. This simple activity will move your foot through all the basic ankle motions.

What is the best advice an athlete can use?

A team trainer or physician should ensure that any athlete is ready to return to their sporting activities. The best advice an athlete can use is to focus their attention on the next step in their recovery rather than on the final goal of returning to sports.

Question

I fractured my ankle (weber type A fracture) & tore “deep fibers” & sprained ligaments in it back in January, I wore the boot for 8 weeks & moved to a soft brace with side supports. Is it normal for my ankle & entire foot to still swell, to almost twice the size it normally is, this long after those injuries?

Answer

Thank you for your question! Without doing an examination of your ankle, we are limited in our ability to provide specific information regarding your symptoms. However, we can give general recommendations regarding ankle and foot swelling following a fracture.

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Anatomy of an ankle sprain

The most common type of ankle sprain is an inversion injury, or lateral ankle sprain. The foot rolls inward, damaging the ligaments of the outer ankle — the anterior talofibular ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament, and the posterior talofibular ligament. (Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissue that connect bone to bone; see illustration.)

When to see your doctor

Unless your symptoms are mild or improving soon after the injury, contact your clinician. He or she may want to see you immediately if your pain and swelling are severe, or if the ankle feels numb or won't bear weight.

How to strengthen your ankle after a sprain

To recover from an ankle sprain fully, you'll need to restore the normal range of motion to your ankle joint and strengthen its ligaments and supporting muscles.

How to heal a broken ankle?

Resting and elevating the ankle, so that it can begin the healing process. Refraining from walking or bearing weight on the affected leg, so that you don’t inadvertently worsen the injury. Using a medical bandage or brace, which supports the ankle and compresses it to reduce swelling.

How to get a sprained ankle back?

Begin range of motion exercises as soon as possible. The sooner you can get your sprained ankle back into practicing its normal range of motion, the better. Depending on your grade of sprain, you may need to wait a few days or a week to begin these exercises, but range of motion activities such as “writing” the alphabet with your ankle can make ...

How to treat a sprained ankle in Frisco?

Verville, you should begin treating the ankle to stop swelling and discomfort. The first steps you should take are: Icing the ankle to control swelling, and if needed, taking anti-inflammatory medications that Dr. Verville prescribes.

How many miles can you run after an ankle injury?

Just remember, start off slowly and easily. If you were running marathons before you injured your ankle, you’re not going to be able to do 26.2 miles on your first run after rehabbing your injury. Listen to your body as you regain your athletic activities to ensure you don’t inadvertently injure your ankle again.

Is there a one size fits all recovery time for ankle sprains?

The answer is, there’s really no one-size-fits-all recovery time period for rehabbing an injured ankle. Because sprains are categorized by degrees of the injury, you need to look for milestones that you’ve hit in your recovery journey to begin and to step up rehabbing exercises before you are fully healed from your ankle injury. ...

Why do my ankles swell?

12 causes of swollen ankles. There are many different causes of swollen ankles. In most cases, swelling is due to injury or edema. The term edema means swelling due to the accumulation of excess fluid. It is particularly common in the lower leg, ankles, and feet.

Why does my foot swell?

A person may experience inflammation due to an injury on the ankle or foot. People who sustain an injury to the foot or ankle may experience inflammation in that area, causing it to appear swollen. An ankle sprain is one of the most common foot injuries.

What is the swelling of the arm called?

Lymphedema is a type of swelling that affects the soft tissues in the arms or legs, including the ankles. It is due to a buildup of a fluid called lymph. This is mainly composed of white blood cells, which help fight infection.

What is it called when your limbs are swollen after a DVT?

If these veins do not increase in size, the limb may remain swollen. Persistent pain and swelling after a DVT is called post-thrombotic syndrome. People who experience a DVT should consider: elevating the affected limb.

Is swelling normal during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the body produces more blood and bodily fluids to support the developing fetus. Swelling is a common side effect of pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. It can affect the ankles, feet, legs, face, and hands. Slight swelling is normal and usually harmless.

How long does it take to heal a sprained ankle?

Grade 1 sprained ankle recovery time is anywhere from 2 weeks to a month , normally closer to the two-week mark with proper treatment. A grade 1 sprained ankle can be treated almost entirely at home. The pain is fairly minor, if difficult to deal with. However, “home treatment” doesn’t mean “no treatment”.

How often do you sprain your ankle?

Orthopedists deal with sprained ankles just about every day. They’re the most common injury by a landslide and a sort of inevitability. Most people sprain their ankle at least once in life, and especially active people tend to do it a few times. However, each sprained ankle requires it’s own care and diagnosis.

How to tell if you have a grade 2 sprained ankle?

The most immediate sign of a grade 2 sprained ankle is bruising and swelling. When the sprain is received, the ankle should begin to swell almost immediately, and bruising should follow soon after. A grade 2 sprained ankle causes moderate pain, swelling of the joint, and some joint instability.

What does a grade 3 ankle sprain mean?

Finally, you might receive a grade 3 ankle sprain. If you do, you need to forget the idea of home treatment. A grade 3 sprained ankle could mean ligamentous rupture, which can cause permanent damage to the joint. Besides that, bruising and swelling will be extensive.

What is the least severe ankle sprain?

A grade 1 ankle sprain is the least severe and, accordingly, requires the least amount of time to recover. A grade 1 sprain occurs when there is only minor damage, and stretching of the ligaments. If you are suffering from a grade 1 sprain, you will feel only a little soreness.

Can you rest your ankle after a sprained ankle?

However, if you’ve done significant damage to the ankle, you could be resting it for a while. Here’s a breakdown of what sprained ankle recovery time looks like, and what you should expect if you sprain your ankle.

Can you treat a grade 2 ankle tear?

A grade 2 sprained ankle should not be treated at home unless you or someone who can care for you is a medical professional. Grade 2 sprained ankles often involve a partial tear in ligaments. Several things, such as too much pressure or even a minor second injury, can severely compound the ligament tear.

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