How To Treat A Sprained Ankle

Hello, I'm Charles Goldman, a qualified chiropodist podiatrist. I run the Foot Pad chiropody and physical therapy clinic in Holborn, Central London. Today, I am going to talk to you about various foot problems and their treatment.

In this film, we are going to discuss the treatment of sprained ankles. First, we have to define what a sprained ankle is. The most common sprain is a lateral sprain.

That is the outside of the ankle, caused by lateral movement, often in sports, basketball, etc. When this happens, you tear the tendons and ligaments that are attaching the bones and muscles in the foot. This is the simplest explanation.

The treatment for a sprained ankle is rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Basically you need to rest the ankle, cool it, strap it, and raise it. This helps to remove the fluid from the ankle area and stops the pressure on the ankle.

It's obviously very difficult to rest, but certainly you must strap it, and generally in a figure of eight strapping. It goes around the foot, under, across the ankle, and around again, and that holds the foot in a fixed position ninety degrees to the leg. If you have twisted your ankle and you think it is sprained, obviously strap it and treat is as I've said.

But you should make sure that it is a sprain and not a break. And it is worthwhile seeking professional advice, to have it checked and perhaps an x-ray, to confirm the diagnosis. And that is the way we recommend you treat a sprained ankle. .