Jackson Hospital | Partners | Fall 2017

12 Jackson Hospital COMMUNITY Your ankle bones and joint are held together with tough, stretchy bands called ligaments. Although they support your ankle as it moves, bends and twists, ligaments do have their limits. And when they are stretched past those limits—such as when you step awkwardly and twist your ankle—you may end up with a sprain. Sprains can range from mild, with a slight amount of tenderness and swell- ing, to severe, where the ligaments tear completely and swelling and pain are significant. For mild or moderate sprains, treat- ment is pretty much the same: the tried and true RICE method, which helps reduce pain and swelling: R est the ankle. Don’t walk on it. I ce keeps swelling down. Apply ice to the injured ankle for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, three or four times a day for about three days. C ompression bandages or ace bandages can help immobilize and support the ankle. E levate your ankle above heart level for the first 48 hours. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help ease the ache too. ORTHOPEDICS Sprain your ankle? Don’t just limp away Play it safe The worse the sprain, the longer it will take to heal. Mild sprains might feel better after just a few days. For severe sprains with torn ligaments, healing could take months, and surgery could be needed to repair the ligament. If you suspect you’ve sprained your ankle, it’s best to have a doctor check it out. The typical sprain symptoms—pain and swelling—could also be signs of a broken ankle. Your doctor can determine what is wrong and the best way to treat it. Your doctor will let you know when it’s OK to return to your usual activities, including playing sports. If you try to do too much too soon, you could re-injure the ankle. Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases