An ankle sprain is a common situation, which can be resolved at home, and the person usually recovers in 3 to 5 days, with less pain and swelling. However, when symptoms appear, such as difficulty placing your foot on the floor and walking, it is usually recommended to do physical therapy to recover faster.
When you twist your foot because you 'misstep' there may be injuries to the ankle ligaments. While milder injuries can be treated at home, injuries that show purple on the front and side of the foot, as well as difficulty walking, are indicative of the need for physical therapy.
Find out more about the severity of the injury and how it is treated for the most severe cases.
Steps to cure an ankle sprain faster
Although it is possible to treat a mild, grade 1 ankle sprain at home, the physiotherapist is the most suitable professional to assess the injury and indicate the best form of rehabilitation, especially when there are complications such as ligament injuries.
The following steps show what you need to do to recover from an ankle dislocation at home:
- Keep your foot elevated to avoid swelling or making it worse. You can lie on the bed or sofa and place a high pillow under your foot, for example. Apply an ice pack or frozen peas to the affected area, allowing to act for 15 minutes. It is important to place a thin towel or diaper between the skin and the compress to prevent the cold from burning the skin. Move your toes to facilitate recovery and reduce swelling; Do gentle ankle stretches to improve blood circulation and range of motion.
In an ankle dislocation the parts that suffer the most are the ligaments and in the most severe cases, fracture of some leg or foot bone may occur. With torn or injured ligaments, the ankle has less stability, making it difficult to walk and causing a lot of pain in the area. Therefore, in the most serious injuries, home treatment is not enough, requiring physiotherapy.
How long does recovery take
The simplest injuries take up to 5 days to recover completely, but in the case of more serious injuries, with redness, swelling and difficulty walking, the recovery time can take up to about 1 month, requiring rehabilitation.
