What is the best way to care for very sprained ankle?
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I hope you have it x-rayed to make sure it isn't broken. To help with the swelling, elevate your leg and you can apply an ice pack for 15 to 20 minute intervals. wrap the ice pack in a towel or cloth. You don't want to be in direct contact with you skin for that long, it can cause frostbite. Tylenol or Advil for pain.
Have you had it medically looked at? To make sure you have no broken bones.
Otherwise, rest and ice. With painkillers, if necessary. Keep the weight off. Strap it.
But I would check with your doctor. If it's that bad, you might have done some damage
rice
r-rest
i-ice
c-compress
e-elevate
but if its really serious go to a doctor
i had a sprained ankle from dancing, weekend before my recital...it was VERY swollen black and blue, couldn't even walk on it or put it on the ground, but of course i still danced on it =]
anyways, the first night i put it in a bucket full of water with salt in it i think? Then for the next few days make sure you keep it elevated and don't walk on it unless you have to. Make sure you are putting ice on it while elevated also. That's pretty much all you can do, then wait, it will get better in a few days to the point where you can walk on it, but my foot still hurts occasionally and its been two months since it happened.
Keep your foot propped up (I'd lie on the couch and rest my foot on the backrest of the couch to keep it higher than my head) and use ice for 20 minutes every hour. Take some Advil or Tylenol for pain.
Stay off your feet as much as possible. It will take several weeks to heal, but it will turn so many interesting colors!
I just went through this with my husband. Put ice on it for 20 minutes every 2 hours. Even better, if you can stand it, is a big bucket of ice water. Use crutches to get around, if you don't have any, you can by them at any pharmacy. About $40. My husband sprained his ankle 3 weeks ago and is just now getting back to normal. Just relax your ankle as much as possible. This kind of injury just takes time to heal. Have you had an MRI? An MRI will let you know for sure how severe your injury is. hope this helps!
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