What's the best way to heal a sprained ankle?

[Jennifer]

I sprained my ankle beginning of last Jun hols while sending my P4 boy for his CL tuition. Once I reached home, I did a cold compress- ice cubes in a plastic bag. The compress was so painful. Followed by lying on my back with the leg raised on a bolster. When I slept at night, I worn a tight sock. When I bath, I sprayed hot water on the sprain area. For the next few days, I could still walk but with a limp. Running for the bus was a big no-no.


When the pain did not go away after a week, I contemplated getting an x-ray. I was visiting a TCM with my P4 boy for his weekly visit, the TCM physician examined my ankle and told me there was no fracture and the swell might take another 1-2 mths to heal. The swell/pain finally went away after a month.

The physician told me my selfmade cold compress was wrong. Shld hv wrapped the ice in a thick towel. My RICE was right though- raise, ice, compression, elevate http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sprainsstrains/a/sprain_4.htm

She also said that ice shld be done only once (after the sprain), after which do hot compress daily.

Take care.

[Funz]

Elevate it, rest that ankle as much as possible. If need to move about, wear an ankle brace.


Cold or hot compress doesn’t mean direct application. Wrap the ice or hot pack in a towel before putting it on the affected area. The compress should be comfortably warm or cool, not scalding hot or ice cold.

[markfch]

Thanks Jen & Funz for the advice.


Just went to see GP and she suspected it to be gout attack, since I just woke up with a swollen ankle w/o any exercises. Hope it’s not though, as the ankle in pain was badly injured during NS - had 4 weeks MC that time. So it could also be a case of old injury acting out, which does occur from time to time.

Blood test result for gout will only be known on Mon.

[Mrsbongz]

Oh.. if it's gout,the swollen area will feel warm n hot too... if it is... take lots of cherries!! n berries!! dh's entire family gets it.. did u drink beer or have a major seafood/ or kway chap dinner the night before? :evil: u will need medication to help u have the runs too... n cut down on protein rich stuff in the meantime, no soy stuff too..

[Jennifer]

markfch:

Thanks Jen & Funz for the advice.


Just went to see GP and she suspected it to be gout attack, since I just woke up with a swollen ankle w/o any exercises. Hope it's not though, as the ankle in pain was badly injured during NS - had 4 weeks MC that time. So it could also be a case of old injury acting out, which does occur from time to time.

Gout attack? Or you watched too many fighting shows lately and act the stunts during your sleep ? Or too many cartwheels practices?
:rotflmao:
Ok, do rest well and get well soon.

[Jennifer]

LKVM:

I heard you ppl have some small gathering this weekend :evil:

yalor, was looking forward to his cartwheel stunts. How now leh? No entertainment liao. :rotflmao:

[ZacK]

markfch:

I sprained my ankle yesterday and didn't sleep well in the night due to the pain. Just paid a visit to TCM.


I don't understand why those TCM folks have to use '牛力' to press my injured joint when a just a tender touch is enough to send me screaming. I'm not weak, just imagine my whole ankle swelling like pig leg now. Any indentation caused by a finger pressing the swollen part actually stays. :sick:

Now I'm at home suffering throbbing pain at the joint. Any quick remedy. pls?

Oh dear... No quick remedy but please please please make sure you elevate your sprained ankle when you sleep at night.. Cos if not you wont just have a pig's leg, it will probably swell to an elephant's leg :yikes: ... The injured ankle must be at a height higher than your heart when you sleep.

Used to suffer from sprains on/off when I was playing volleyball while schooling.... hmmm yes i used to be able to jump and touch the std height basketball ring... Now hmmm :roll: ... Anyway I used this method:

The early treatment of a ankle sprain is the \"RICE\" method of treatment. If you are unsure of the severity of your ankle sprain, talk to your doctor before beginning any treatment or rehab. The following is an explanation of the RICE method of treatment for ankle sprains:

Rest:
The first 24-48 hours after the injury is considered a critical treatment period and activities need to be curtailed. Gradually put as much weight on the involved ankle as tolerated and discontinue crutch use when you can walk with a normal gait (with minimal to no pain or limp).

Ice:
For the first 48 hours post-injury, ice pack and elevate the ankle sprain 20 minutes at a time every 3-4 hours. The ice pack can be a bag of frozen vegetables (peas or corn), allowing you to be able to re-use the bag. Another popular treatment method is to fill paper cups with water then freeze the cup. Use the frozen cube like an ice cream cone, peeling away paper as the ice melts. Do NOT ice a ankle sprain for more than 20 minutes at a time!! You will not be helping heal the ankle sprain any faster, and you can cause damage to the tissues!
How to ice an injury

Compression:
Use compression when elevating the ankle sprain in early treatment. Using an Ace bandage, wrap the ankle from the toes all the way up to the top of the calf muscle, overlapping the elastic wrap by one-half of the width of the wrap. The wrap should be snug, but not cutting off circulation to the foot and ankle. So, if your foot becomes cold, blue, or falls asleep, re-wrap!

Elevate:
Keep your ankle sprain higher than your heart as often as possible. Elevate at night by placing books under the foot of your mattresses--just stand up slowly in the morning.
More severe ankle sprain injuries, including complete tears of the ligaments and fractures of the bone may need different treatment and rehab than a simple ankle sprain. It is important that you see your doctor before beginning treatment or if your symptoms do not steadily improve over time.

take care

[ZacK]

markfch:

Thanks Jen & Funz for the advice.


Just went to see GP and she suspected it to be gout attack, since I just woke up with a swollen ankle w/o any exercises. Hope it's not though, as the ankle in pain was badly injured during NS - had 4 weeks MC that time. So it could also be a case of old injury acting out, which does occur from time to time.

Blood test result for gout will only be known on Mon.

Huh sprain and gout very different lei... Did you walk and stepped on an uneven surface or not? resulting in a sprain? :?

[SAHM_TAN]

This is what happened to me. I sprained my ankle rather badly a few yrs back. I can’t remember if I visited the TCM Eu Ren Sheng, oppo Toa Payoh Public lib, the day I sprained it or the next day. The physician let the blood out of my sprained ankle and it was normal again. I screamed a bit but it was good as new. I have sprained my ankle more than once and that was the fastest and best treatment for me.

[markfch]

SAHM_TAN:

This is what happened to me. I sprained my ankle rather badly a few yrs back. I can't remember if I visited the TCM Eu Ren Sheng, oppo Toa Payoh Public lib, the day I sprained it or the next day. The physician let the blood out of my sprained ankle and it was normal again. I screamed a bit but it was good as new. I have sprained my ankle more than once and that was the fastest and best treatment for me.

I had that treatment many years ago, think it's called 移血 or something similar. Like your case, the result was instanteous. I was impressed.

But frankly, I would prefer not to have to bleed, though the more traditional TCM method of 正骨 is really super painful for a person like me to withstand. :nailbite: