A sprained ankle can be nearly as painful as a break. You have to allow it to heal naturally, but there are a few things you can do to assist in the healing and also prevent this type of injury from happening again. Sprained ankles occur for a number of reasons, including wearing the wrong type of shoes, or they can occur simply by accident after stepping wrong or falling. No matter the reason for your sprained ankle, in order to get back on your feet and feel 100% again, read on for tips to help, as well as preventative tips.

Ice Your Ankle

To decrease swelling in your ankle, use an ice pack applied to the ankle. A soft ice pack is best to use, as it can be wrapped around the ankle and be applied to more surface area of the ankle. Be sure to watch for ice burn on the skin, and use a towel between the skin and ice pack if necessary. The ice can also help reduce pain. Swelling from a sprained ankle can last for a few days up to more than a week in some, so continue icing your ankle if necessary.

Elevate Your Ankle

You are going to need to stay off of your ankle for a while, so try not to put too much pressure on it while walking, or use crutches if necessary or instructed by your physician. In the evening when at home, elevate your ankle to prevent further injury and also assist in reducing the swelling of the ankle. Elevate the ankle using pillows to keep it cushioned and remove any tight-fitting socks to reduce constricting blood flow.

Rest Your Ankle

Along with elevating your ankle, try your best not to use that foot for a while. Talk to your physician about using crutches depending on the severity of the sprain. If you aren't able to use crutches, a scooter or a wheelchair may be used to get around.

Preventative Tips

To prevent your ankle from getting re-injured, there are a few things you can do.

Strengthening your ankle is one thing you can do. Do ankle stretches, such as rotating your ankle from side to side and flexing your feet forward and back can also help strengthen your ankles.

Wear comfortable and supportive shoes. If your shoes are too worn-out, they may not be supporting the entire foot as it should, which can lead to a sprain. Be sure the sides of the shoes are not too worn, in addition to the soles of the shoes you are wearing.

Watch the placement of your feet while running or walking. If your gait is off, it may be causing issues for your feet and ankles, which can lead to an injury. Talk to your physician about your gait.

If you have a sprained ankle, you need to let it heal on its own, but talk to your physician about therapy for the injury and other preventative tips to get you back on your feet again. Contact a sports medicine injury clinic like Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C. for more information.