Hip sprain is one of the most common leg injuries, which can occur during sports, running, running with the leg out of joint, and other activities.
where there wasn't even much risk, such as a slightly misaligned foot in high heels, a nick and, lo and behold, a sprain. But the treatment of ankle sprains will be lengthy and often not easy. Rehabilitation after an ankle sprain depends on how urgently you see a doctor, as well as the degree of sprain.
What to do if you have sprained your ankle ligaments?
If you have sprained your ankle, it is advisable not to self-treat, but to see a doctor who will make sure that the first step is to effectively relieve the pain and reduce the swelling. This can be done not only with medication, but also with special orthopaedic equipment such as a splint, as it is important to have the ankle properly secured to prevent it from moving. Depending on the severity of the injury, your doctor may recommend an INDIVIDUAL or a plaster cast. Such measures are used for about three weeks to fix the ankle, as the healing period for ligaments is long.
You should see a doctor as soon as possible, as untreated ankle sprains can lead to more serious problems.
Rehabilitation after an ankle sprain: what lies ahead?
Essential recommendations only after the ankle has been sprained:
- protect the affected area;
- go into a resting mode and refrain from any activity that involves movement of the ankle and causes pain;
- cooling the affected area for about 15 minutes up to 8 times a day;
- use an elastic bandage or an ankle sleeve for compression .
- Keep the sore leg elevated whenever possible.
For pain relief, your doctor will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as mentioned above, but these should not be used for very long - it is best to take them for a few days after the injury.
Rehabilitation after an ankle sprain usually involves reducing swelling and pain, which is why cryotherapy is useful. It is also important to do special exercises to help maintain the ankle's range of motion. It is very important that the exercises are only performed when already authorised by the doctor. The exercises themselves should also be demonstrated by a specialist. It is likely that your doctor will prescribe a course of physiotherapy to help you learn how to do stretching exercises, develop your strength, etc. Physiotherapy in the early stages of treatment will effectively promote healing and is likely to shorten the healing period, as well as gradually increasing the range of movement.
Rehabilitation of ankle sprains involves protecting the ankle, and an ankle brace is essential to limit unauthorised ankle movements, reinforcing the affected area but allowing ankle movement. An elastic ankle brace will be one of the best choices after a ligament sprain. These splints are made of high quality materials, allow the skin to breathe freely, and absorb and evaporate moisture, so wearing an elastic splint will be comfortable and you won't even know you have it. The elastic splint will reliably immobilise the ankle, provide a compression effect, so that the blood circulationin the limb will beeffectively activatedand pain and swelling will be reduced. In fact, an elastic ankle brace will not only be useful for rehabilitation after an ankle sprain, but also as a preventive measure during intense sports and to avoid ankle sprains. The ankle splint with is another option, which will also stabilise the joint very reliably, limit the possibility of the ankle tilting inwards or outwards, reduce pain and prevent swelling. This splint will have external hinges, which can be customised to your foot.
Severe sprains of the ankle ligaments are in most cases treated surgically.
Rehabilitation after an ankle sprain is a long process, so it is important that you follow the basic recommendations in the first hours after the injury, that you contact your doctor promptly and that you follow the treatment plan meticulously.
