Why does sprained ankle swell

For mild sprains, this may take a week to 10 days, while more severe sprains may take up to several weeks to heal. Shop for elastic bandages. Surgery for sprained ankles is rare. Surgical options include:. The type of surgery needed will depend on the severity of your ankle sprain and your activity level. After surgery, rehabilitation is an important part of the recovery process. Depending on the extent of your ankle sprain and the type of surgery, rehabilitation can take weeks or months.

The amount of time required for a full recovery will depend on the severity of the sprain. Most ankle sprains take a few weeks to fully heal.

A more severe sprain may take months. Although pain and swelling will eventually go away, your injured ankle may not be as stable as your unaffected ankle. Your doctor may suggest certain exercises to help strengthen the muscle about the ankle. When left untreated, an ankle sprain can lead to long-term pain and instability in the ankle. Shop for ankle braces.

Injuries and subsequent inflammation…. Since our feet carry our entire body weight all day long, it's not much of a surprise that foot pain is relatively common. Learn about possible causes. Your ankle helps to balance and stabilize your body. Ankle disorders can result…. Osteoarthritis OA is a form of degenerative joint pain. Learn the early signs, such as pain and tenderness, stiffness, and loss of flexibility.

Peroneal tendonitis is a common injury for runners and for those doing other activities that require repetitive motion.

These stretches will help…. How to relax tensed muscle injuries. If the swelling does not go down or the pain gets worse, they should see a doctor. Sprains are common and usually heal on their own. However, severe sprains that completely sever the ligament may require months of healing and possibly surgery. Do not ignore the pain of an ankle sprain or assume that there is nothing a doctor can do. Prompt treatment can speed recovery and reduce the risk of a chronic or secondary injury.

A sprained toe is a common injury that is often tender and painful. Broken toes and sprained toes share many causes and symptoms. Learn more about a…. Swollen ankles, or edema, are a common symptom of a variety of conditions. Learn more about the causes of swollen ankles, including lymphedema….

Signs of a sprained ankle include pain and swelling. Doctors grade sprains depending on severity. Causes include falling and overuse. Learn more about…. Learn about sprained fingers, an injury that causes pain in one or more of the fingers.

Included are details on how to recognize a sprain from a break. A cold compress is a chilled or frozen object, often a piece of cloth. A person can apply one to the body to relieve pain, swelling, and fever.

Tips for healing a sprained ankle fast Medically reviewed by Angela M. First aid Tips to aid healing When to see a doctor Summary A sprained ankle is an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle. First aid. Share on Pinterest A temporary bandage can help support the joint and prevent it from moving. Tips to aid healing.

Share on Pinterest. When to see a doctor. Medically reviewed by Angela M. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Keith Fisher, M. How do you know if you have a sprained ankle? Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Sprained finger: Everything you need to know. How to make and use a cold compress. Stay off your feet to allow your ankle to heal.

Gently exercise your ankle on a regular basis to reduce stiffness. Avoid strenuous activites, such as running and aerobics, until you can walk without it causing any pain.

Elevate your ankle: Keep your ankle raised above the level of your chest for several days after injury. Use pillows to keep your foot elevated. Keep your foot elevated for a few hours per day until your ankle stops swelling. Elevation is important after an injury as it helps to reduce the amount of blood flow to the injured area.

This helps to reduce the inflammation, bruising, and pain. Ice your ankle: Ice treatment can help decrease pain, swelling, bruising, and muscle spasms. To make an ice pack, fill a freezer bag with ice. Put an ice pack on your injured ankle for 10 minutes every 2 hours. Wrap an elastic medical bandage around the ice pack to hold it in place. You should not use ice for more than 20 minutes at a time. If you have circulation issues or diabetes, talk to your doctor before applying ice.

Compress your ankle: Apply a compression bandage from the toes to above the ankle. Wrapping your ankle will help to avoid bruising and swelling.

Wrap the bandage around your ankle and foot, and secure it with medical tape. Make sure the bandage doesn't restrict blood flow to your toes or make the pain worse. Do combine compression with elevationa and rest whenever possible. Take a pain reliever: If you have severe pain, a narcotic pain reliever can make you feel better.

An OTC pain reliever may also help reduce the pain and swelling. Most medical professionals recommend anti-inflammatory medicines such as naproxen, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen.

You can also take acetaminophen for pain, although this medicine does not reduce inflammation. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. See a doctor: A podiatrist can diagnose and treat an ankle sprain. Your doctor may order x-rays to determine if you have a broken bone in your ankle.