How long does it take for a severe ankle sprain to heal?
Mild, low-grade ankle sprains will usually heal in one to three weeks with proper rest and non-surgical care( such as applying ice). Moderate injuries may take between three and four weeks. Because of limited blood flow to the ligaments of the ankle, more severe injuries may take between three and six months to heal.
What is the best treatment for a severely sprained ankle?
Treatment
- Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
- Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you’re awake.
- Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.
- Elevation.
How do you treat a Grade 3 ankle sprain?
A Grade 3 sprain can be associated with permanent instability. Surgery is rarely needed. A short leg cast or a cast-brace may be used for two weeks to three weeks. Rehabilitation is used to help to decrease pain and swelling and to prevent chronic ankle problems.
Can you walk on a severe ankle sprain?
Walking on a sprained ankle is not advised. After a sprain occurs, it needs time to heal before weight-bearing. Walking or weight bearing too soon may slow healing or cause further damage.
How long after a grade 3 ankle sprain can I walk?
Grade 2 ankle sprains involve greater injury to the ligament and can take up 4-6 weeks to allow full return to sport. Grade 3 injuries are more severe in nature and often involve full tearing of the ligament and possible bone fracture. The length of time to recover from grade 3 ankle sprains could be 3 months or more.
Should you stay off a sprained ankle?
Remember: stay off the ankle! A grade 1 sprained ankle has fully healed when there is no more pain or selling.
What is the best treatment for an ankle sprain?
Sprained ankles should be compressed with an elastic bandage. Elevation is one of the best remedies for a sprained ankle. X-rays can be used to determine if a patient has an ankle fracture or sprain. Applying ice can help reduce ankle swelling.
Can ankle sprain heal on their own?
Frisco patients often feel that a sprained ankle will just heal on its own . However, sprains are notoriously tricky injuries to treat, precisely because patients take them so lightly. But without proper treatment sprained ankles can heal improperly, leading to weakness in that joint and a high potential for re-injury.
What does it mean to sprain an ankle?
An ankle sprain is an injury of one of the supporting ligaments, usually due to overstretching or tearing. Your ankle joint includes the bottom of the shin bone (the tibia), representing the inner portion of the ankle, the smaller leg bone (the fibula), the outer portion of the ankle, and the Talus (below the ankle joint) bone of the foot.
Do I need surgery for a sprained ankle?
Surgery on a sprained ankle usually only occurs when a patient in Frisco doesn’t respond well to nonsurgical treatments or if significant instability in the ankle occurs. The two main surgical options are arthroscopy or complete reconstruction of the damaged ligament .