Q: I sprained my ankle running today. What should I do?
A: Use R.I.C.E. therapy as soon as possible, that is, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Do this even if the injury doesn’t seem serious. For example, the sprain was painful when you initially did it, but after a few minutes you were able to walk and even finish your run. Ice it as soon as possible because the more inflammation you reduce in the first 24 hours the quicker you recover.
The grade or severity of ankle sprain is usually related to the degree of tissue (ligament) damage, and the resulting instability of the ankle. Early assessment of your ankle sprain should always be a priority and should be undertaken by a qualified medical professional. See your Doctor.
Ankle sprains on the outside of the ankle are far more common than on the inside of your ankle. You should also try and assess what caused the sprain. You doctor or therapist can also help you with this. For example, in the extreme case where a shoe is worn down to the outside (laterally), ankle sprains could be related to this lateral instability.
Did I mention to seek medical advice?
Dr. Nick Brown
Dr. Brown is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Texas.
