Why does your sprained ankle still hurt? You may still have foot and ankle pain because the injury has not fully restored. Even though a sprain is not similar as a break, could be often more painful and will often take longer to recover. Many people report having foot and ankle pain for many weeks or months before fully recovering from a injury. 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 presented by 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, along with most injuries, RICE is recommended, but only for your first 48 hours. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation can reduce foot and ankle pain for their early two days as well as prevent swelling and aid in the healing process However after 48 hours RICE loses its effectiveness and your left just with “R” – basically resting till the ankle heals itself. Most people (as I used to), simple judged their healing by how many normal things may 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 prefer to take a more proactive choice. Although rest is a healthy part of recovery through the injury, rehabilitation is very important. One does don’t start moving that ankle around, the muscles will become static, lose strength, and yes it will take more time get to you old self. I’d a nurse recommend massaging the ankle (firm but not rough), stretching, and small exercises to build up strength. Although initially I resisted, thinking it would only make my foot and ankle pain worse, she finally convinced me and I was really surprised in the amazing end results! The idea is any time you don’t push yourself to recover, your ankle will take the easy road just recover a few state of only what’s a necessity. I mean that for can walk up airfare of stairs, but may refine feel the load in your ankle, danger that achievable walk up, but wouldn’t it be better if if you can run up?
That’s why when I sprained my ankle several months ago, after the 48 hour resting period I immediately began exercising my ankle. Nothing stressful of program.maybe walking to the kitchen, returning to “draw invisible circles” with my big toe, due to being on one foot, and other simple but painful workouts. In just a 7 days I was walking and down stairs with little pain and in two weeks time I was jogging far more. The ankle stayed swollen for quite some time on the other hand continued with massages and the size eventually returned on track. 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