How to Treat Swollen Ankles

See a doctor or go to the emergency room. If you have an injury and feel pain, you should seek immediate medical attention. If you need immediate treatment or can’t see a regular doctor, you can go to the emergency room. During the exam, the doctor will ask a number of questions and check for signs to determine the extent and type of injury. You’ll need to provide details about your pain and other symptoms to help your doctor diagnose and treat your injury. Common mild ankle injuries include:

• Grade I is a partial tear of the ligament that does not lead to loss of function or weakness. The patient can still walk and carry heavy loads with the injured leg. You may feel pain and mild bruising. ^[1]
• Grade II is a tear in one or more ligaments that impairs function, making it difficult to carry with your injured leg and may require crutches. You may have moderate pain, bruising, and swelling. Your doctor may also detect some problems with your mobility. ^[2]
• Grade III is complete tear and loss of structural integrity of the ligament. Patient is unable to carry or walk without assistance. You will have severe bruising and swelling. ^[3]

Note the sprain on the top of the ankle joint. Ankle sprains include the ATFL ligament, which stabilizes the ankle and is often damaged by twisting the ankle. ^[4] Injuries are usually sub-ankle sprains, but you can also sprain above the ankle joint if you’re an athlete. This condition affects another ligament, the collateral ligament, located above the ankle joint. If you have this type of injury you will have less bruising and swelling, but will feel a lot of pain and take a long time to recover. ^[5]

Follow your doctor’s instructions. After your ankle exam, you need to follow your doctor’s ankle treatment plan. Your doctor will usually order rest, ice, bandages, and an ankle lift. Contact your doctor if symptoms become severe or do not improve after a while.

• Consult physical therapy if you have a severe injury. Physical therapy helps speed up recovery time, and exercise reduces the risk of an ankle injury again. ^[6]

Rest the ankle for two to three days after the injury. You need to give your ankle plenty of rest for two to three days to promote recovery time. This means that you should take a break from sports or other physical activity that puts pressure on your ankle. You need to take a break from work if your job requires a lot of standing. ^{[7] [8]}

Apply ice to the ankle. Apply ice to the ankle for 15-20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and pain. Applying ice reduces blood flow to the injured area, reduces swelling, and limits pain. Cover the ice with a towel and apply it to the skin. ^[9]

• After applying ice, wait about an hour and then apply it again. If applied too much can cause skin damage.

Ankle bandage. This helps limit the movement of the ankle. Bandages reduce swelling and speed up recovery. Use gauze or a wound dressing device to wrap around the injured area. ^{[10] [11]}

• Remove the bandage at night. Leaving the dressing on overnight can impede blood flow completely down the foot and cause tissue death.
• Mechanical bandages are a clinically proven form of wound dressing to reduce swelling. Consult your doctor or physical therapist about this technique.

Raise the ankle. This method reduces blood flow to the injured area, helping to limit swelling. You can raise your ankle while sitting or lying down. Use a pillow or leg to raise the ankle higher than the heart. ^[12]

Support the ankle during treatment. Reducing pressure on your ankle by limiting standing on it helps you recover faster. You can use crutches or a cane to support your body while walking. Note that you must support your ankle when going up and down stairs. ^[13]

• When going up stairs, use your normal foot to step forward. This leg has the effect of lifting the entire body weight and reducing the force of gravity in this case.
• When going down stairs, use the injured foot to step down first. This allows suction to support the injured leg while stepping down.

Estimated recovery time is about 10 days. Following your doctor’s instructions and resting your ankle will help you recover, but it usually takes about 10 days for the ankle to fully heal. ^[14] Do not rush into treatment or the condition may get worse. If you need to, quit your job and ask friends and family for help during your recovery.