Why does your sprained ankle still hurt? You might still have foot and ankle pain because the injury has not fully restored. Even though a sprain is not the same as a break, this often more painful and can take longer to fix. Many people report having foot and ankle pain for few weeks or months before fully recovering from a damage. Although we can go about out daily routines; going to work, shopping, cooking etc, many times because the ankle has not fully recovered (shown by tenderness or swollenness) it leaves a larger percentage opportunity for a second injury. Foot and ankle pain resulting from a sprained ankle should be treated just as seriously as if from a broken ankle.
So how do proceeding about recovering from a sprained ankle. Well, as with most injuries, RICE is recommended, but only for that first 48 hours. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation can reduce foot and ankle pain for the first two days as well as prevent swelling and aid in the healing process However after 48 hours RICE loses its effectiveness and your left simply with “R” – basically resting till the ankle heals itself. Most people (as I used to), simple judged their healing by how many normal things they can do. Yesterday they couldn’t go to work, today they could. Today it took you a while to walk up the stairs,, maybe in several days it will be easier. Foot and ankle pain is just considered part of the healing process.
But now I in order to take purifies proactive alternative. Although rest is a healthy part of recovery on the injury, rehabilitation is very important. When you don’t start moving that ankle around, the muscles will become static, lose strength, and it will harder get to you old self. Got a nurse recommend massaging the ankle (firm nevertheless rough), stretching, and small exercises generate up strength. Although initially I resisted, thinking it would only make my foot and ankle pain worse, she finally convinced me and I was surprised at the amazing advantages! The idea is that if you don’t push yourself to recover, your ankle might take the easy road to only recover to a state of only what’s necessary. I mean that if you can walk up a flight of stairs, but it’s totally feel the strain in your ankle, danger that undertake it ! walk up, but wouldn’t it be better if you could run rising?
That’s why when I sprained my ankle a few months ago, after the 48 hour resting period I immediately began exercising my ankle. Nothing stressful of instruction.maybe walking to the kitchen, returning to “draw invisible circles” with my big toe, on one foot, and other simple but painful work out plans. In just a 7-day period I was walking and down stairs with little pain with the two weeks time I’m jogging far more. The ankle stayed swollen for a long time however i continued with massages as well as the size eventually returned to normalcy. Much faster recover than anything I read online.
The Foot and Ankle Center
22510 SE 64th Pl Bldg F #120, Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 358-4707