Tens of thousands of people sprain their ankle every single day, and inevitably some of them do exactly what you’re not supposed to do in the wake of a sprain. Failing to properly care for your sprained ankle can lead to a number of unintended consequences, including prolonged symptoms and an increased likelihood of future sprains and even fractures. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the things you should not be doing after an ankle sprain.
Avoid Doing This After An Ankle Sprain
If you want to make a speedy and full recovery after an ankle sprain, here’s what you do NOT want to do:
Play Through The Pain – Athletes oftentimes try to push through the pain of an injury because of their competitive spirit, but we urge you to consider your long-term health when trying to keep playing after an ankle sprain. Your supportive ankle ligaments are already weakened as a result of the injury, so you’re at a heightened risk of making the damage a lot worse. Missing a couple practices or games while you recover is better than trying to play through the pain only to make things worse and miss the rest of the season.
Going About Your Day As Normal – If you’re not an athlete, you may assume that you’re not at risk for additional damage if you just continue going about your day as normal. We’re not saying that you need to be bedridden for a week while you recover, but you shouldn’t just ignore your injured ankle either. Take it easy and avoid strenuous activities for a short while until it’s clear that your ankle is starting to feel better.
Nothing – As we alluded to in the above point, we also don’t want you to do nothing in the days after your sprained ankle. Limiting stress on your injured ankle is typically smart for the first 24-72 hours, but after that, activity is usually your best bet. Controlled exercise and activity can help reduce swelling, improve blood flow to your ankle, speed up recovery and increase your functional range of motion. Gradually taking on more stress can actually help your ankle heal sooner after an injury.
Excess Sitting – Finally, try to limit your time in a seated position as your recover from an ankle sprain. We understand that you want to take it easy on your ankle, but that doesn’t mean you should just sit on the couch. Sitting will contribute to fluid pooling in your feet and ankles, which can delay healing. If you are going to sit or lay down, consider elevating your leg above your heart to help limit swelling in the area.
As for what you SHOULD be doing after an ankle sprain, remember to RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and consider consulting with a foot and ankle specialist like Dr. Silverman for more severe sprains! For more information, or to book an appointment with his office, give Silverman Ankle & Foot a call today at (952) 224-8500.
