Think you’re dealing with an ankle sprain? Find out how to treat your condition to get you back on your feet again.

Injuries can happen anywhere, from a simple accident in your home to out on the football field. If you have sustained an ankle injury you 

Foot Pain2

may be wondering whether it’s a strain, sprain or break. Discover the symptoms of an ankle sprain, as well as helpful hints from our West Hartford podiatrists Dr. Harvey Lederman, Dr. Marc Lederman and Dr. Kurt Rode about how to treat your condition.

In many cases, the RICE method is an effective way to treat ankle sprains. While we will still need to examine your ankle and make sure that your symptoms are a sign of an ankle sprain and not something worse, common treatment options for managing your symptoms include:

  • R (REST): As you may have already guessed, one of the best things you can do for an injured ankle is to stay off it as much as possible. This means avoiding physical activities until you have fully healed. If the sprain is bad enough one of our West Hartford foot doctors may recommend using crutches until it doesn’t hurt to move around.
  • I (ICE): For at least the first three days after the injury you’ll want to apply an ice pack to the injured ankle for about 10-20 minutes every couple of hours to help reduce swelling.
  • C (COMPRESSION): You can also choose to wear compression bandages around the ankle for the first day or two after your injury. These bandages or wraps can be helpful for managing any swelling. A more protective ankle brace should be worn if you plan to bear weight on the injured ankle.
  • E (ELEVATION): While resting as much as you can will certainly go a long way to promoting faster healing, you’ll also want to consider elevating your ankle above your heart for a couple hours a day.

By following these at-home tips for caring for your sprained ankle, as well as performing any rehab exercise that we show you, you will be well on your way to recovery.

West Hartford Podiatry is here to make sure your feet and ankles get the specialized care they deserve. Whether you are experiencing symptoms of an ankle sprain or you have questions about foot health turn to the West Hartford foot care specialists.