Ankle sprain?

Question

Should I start on light sports activities such as brisk walking and light jogging after spraining her ankle slightly 1 week ago? I dont feel any pain at the ankle but it gets a little swollen and the front part of my feet feels a little tender when I walk about too much.

Answer 1

wait 3-4 weeks total as a sprain is usually more painful than an actual breakage of the bone. do alot of stretching(rotating) of the ankle before and after any exercise as well as ice before and after. start slowly and at minimum distance and paces...it should work itself back to normal in a few weeks

Answer 2

Ankle Sprain or Strain?

Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons, thick bands that attach muscles to bones. They occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle. Strains are an acute type of injury that results from overstretching or over contraction. Pain, weakness, and muscle spasms are common symptoms experienced after a strain occurs.

Sprains are injuries that affect ligaments, thick bands of cartilage that attach bone to bone. They occur in response to a stretch or tear of a ligament. Sprains are an acute type of injury that results from trauma such as a fall or outside force that displaces the surrounding joint from its normal alignment. Sprains can range from a mild ligamentous stretch to a complete tear. Bruising, swelling, instability, and painful movement are common symptoms experienced after a sprain occurs.

RICE is the acronym used for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is used as the best initial treatment of soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and contusions. The combination of RICE helps reduce inflammation that occurs after acute injury. It is important to remember that the earlier this treatment is put into place, the more effective it is.

Rest: Rest and protect the injured area. If it hurts to bear weight on the injury, use crutches, or a cane.

Ice: Apply ice to the injury. The cold will reduce swelling and pain at the injured site. This step should be done as soon as possible. Apply the frozen object to the area for 20 minutes three times a day for the first 48 hours.

Compression: Compress the injured site. This will decreases swelling of the injured region. Although the wrap should be snug, make sure it is not too tight as this can cause numbness, tingling, or increased pain.

Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart as much as possible. This technique will also assist in reducing the amount of swelling to the injured site.

Once the pain and swelling are eliminated, you should start gradual range of motion exercises but not to the point of pain. Each day your range of motion will increase slightly. Continue until you have complete range of motion. Than start gentle strengthening exercises to re-build the strength in the ankle.

The stiffness will go away over time.

See http://www.coldoneinc.com/ankle_wrap.html

Good Luck

Answer 3

There are multiple systems to grade ankle injuries depending on ligament damage. It seems u have grade 1 to Grd. 2 (mild to moderate) judging from your pain complaints and level of function. R.I.C.E. Rest, ice, compression, & elevation. Prop your ankle up on a stack of pillows w/ ice (bag of frozen vegetables works great) wrapped (not too tight) w/ a towel or ACE bandage. Walk short distances and increase that when u can walk w/o a limp. Use crutches for 1-2 wks if u need to. Call your MD if u even have a doubt.

Answer 4

Depends on how bad the sprain was, if the ligament was torn, then from a recovery stand point you can do whatever you want, as long as you can tolerate the pain, but it is still healing the more rest and recovery time you give yourself the better it will heal.

Motrin or IB profin will help with the healing and swelling

Answer 5

if in doubt, go to a physio and get some advise and maybe see about strapping your ankle to give it the extra support. Just taking pain killers before exercising can just mask further damage you might be doing. Just take it easy.

Answer 6

yes you should start lights sports activities. but you must make sure that the swollen goes down first because it will effect your blood flow and that wil make your feet weak. So, go slow.

Answer 7

You may want to ask your doctor if you can resume those activities. He might think its best if you dont for awhile and he might think thats an excelt idea.
Good luck

Answer 8

should i ? her ? You confused? Take a painkiller before exercise, might also help with the dilemna you seem to have too.