i'm 2 1/2 weeks into a bad ankle sprain and i just got off crutches. anything i can do to speed up healing?

Answer 1

Hey, you're doing better than me! (almost 5 weeks and still not completely off the crutches -- it was a really nasty sprain!) Some things that have helped my ankle improve:
- Advil for pain and swelling
- elevate it (above the level of your heart) when possible: while watching TV, using the computer, even at work/school if you can put it up on the desk or something -- this really helps keep swelling down
- an ankle brace; you can get one for $15 at Walgreens that will fit inside a shoe, so it's a lot easier to deal with than the big air/gel brace they give out at urgent care
- ice packs a couple times a day
- physical therapy
- "contrast baths": fill a bucket with warm water and another with cold water, and alternate 30-seconds in each for 5 minutes; do this a couple times a day
- gentle exercises:
Start small, maybe just a few toe wiggles, concentrating on keeping movements smooth and not jumpy.
Gradually increase size of movements, working on flexing & extending the foot (toes up/toes pointed), and turning foot gently to the inside and outside.
Trace the numbers and alphabet in the air with your toes (use your whole leg at least a little).
Stand on your other leg, and practice touching your toe to the ground behind you, and heel to the ground in front of you.
Do similar exercises with your foot out to the side.
Step side to side along a straight line.
With all exercises, feeling a little bit of a pull is fine, but don't cause yourself a lot of pain! Pushing yourself too hard can actually increase the recovery time.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon!

Answer 2

I badly sprained my ankle about 3 weeks ago. I was in a hurry going down the stairs, lost my balance and landed on a bad side of my left foot, causing my left ankle to be stretched going on the inside. The first 48 hours were excruciating and the pain was un-believable. I've never had a serious ankle injury before.

So I immediately treated it using the RICE method. The following day, the bruising and swelling were so horrible. I found out that I got a second degree sprain and immediately panicked after that. I had a football game on that week and it been looking forward to it because I've been training for rt. I had teammates that had similar injuries and it took them months to fully recover, some of them stopped playing altogether. So I kinda had a short-term depression because I can't imagine myself not being able to run and play sports anymore.

Because I was so desperate to recover again, I contacted a lot of people that I know who do sports and asked them if they had similar injuries. One friend of mine, from the boy's football team in my university, told me about H.E.M. Ankle Rehab. I got a copy 4 days after I got injured. I immediately read and followed what was instructed and felt improvement on the first day. I was able to walk a bit, but I was in pain.

A couple of days after that, the swelling and bruising were subsid-ing significantly and on the fourth day, I was walking comfortably again. Although I've had felt a bit of stiffness, I continued doing what was instructed. My sister was surprised that I have recovered this fast. I told her about this book and was shocked on how effective the procedures were. I'm just so happy that this book was shared to me and how effective it is.

Heal your ankle fully & fast?

Answer 3

I'm healing still healing from a sprained ankle from about a month ago. Its extreamly easy to reinjure, I know from experience! Wrap it, ice it, take it easy. If you work out alot like I do do things that are low impact. Instead of running, get on the elliptical, etc.

Answer 4

try to stay off your feet as much as possible. ice it and elevate it. and continue taking vitamin C. Vit c increases protein synthesis which will speed up healing around your body. you may want to keep an ace bandage on your ankle to keep some more stability.

Answer 5

Keep it strapped and take it easy. When it's happened once it's more easily going to happen again.

Answer 6

No. Just treat it gently while nature takes it's course.

Answer 7

try resting it, dont put a lot of pressure on it when you walk and use bengay

Answer 8

bengay....n lots of it. also try taking calcium pills.