Treating Your Sprained Ankle

Your ankles can be among the most fragile but essential joints in your body. When they suffer injuries, you can experience both intense pains along with a range of serious mobility issues. While sprains are extremely common ankle injuries, patients are often unprepared for treating this type of injury when they encounter.

How Can You Reduce The Amount Of Swelling That Your Injured Ankle Experiences?

While swelling can be an extremely painful side effect of an ankle injury, patients will often fail to take any steps to effectively alleviate this side effect. As a result, they can find themselves experiencing worse pain and more severe mobility problems than were necessary. Ice can limit the amount of swelling in the ankle while also numbing it. However, the elevation is also necessary to stop fluids from pooling around the injured joint. This is especially important while you are sleeping, but an effort should be made to elevate the injured ankle whenever you are sitting or lying down.

When Will You Be Able To Resume Running Or Other Types Of Exercise?

Ankle injuries can be especially frustrating for patients due to the impact that they can have on their normal routine. A person with an injured ankle will likely be unable to run, walk long distances, or engage in many other types of exercise until the ankle has fully healed. While you may be impatient to return to these activities, doing so in a premature manner could lead to significant damage to the weakened and healing ankle. Before you start to undertake any type of exercise following an ankle injury, you should consult an ankle doctor. Otherwise, you may find your minor sprain results in a potentially long-term ankle injury.

Is A Referral Required To Get An Appointment With An Ankle Clinic?

Due to the complexity of the ankle joint, individuals may benefit from seeking treatment from a professional that specializes in treating this part of the body. These care providers will be able to more effectively assess the damage to the joint while also devising a care plan that promotes the fastest recovery possible. Unfortunately, you may not take advantage of this type of specialized care if you assume that a referral is needed to seek treatment at an ankle clinic. In reality, you will not need a referral from your general practitioner to make an appointment with these providers. However, your insurance should be consulted first as they may require a referral before covering the costs of specialists.