How to Apply Ice to an Ankle to Speed Recovery

The RICE method for treating injured ankles at home

An injured or sprained ankle can be quite painful and may lay you up for a few days. In most ankle injuries, the tendons and the ligaments in the ankle are strained or stretched. The blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to your feet are also often torn and leak blood into the surrounding tissues, which causes the ankle and foot to bruise. Fortunately, though, most ankle injuries aren't serious and heal themselves after a few days of at-home treatment. Most minor ankle injuries can be treated at home with the use of rest, ice, and elevation to limit any swelling.^{[1]XResearch source}

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Treating the Ankle

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1
Rest the injured ankle as much as possible for 48 hours. After you sprain or injure your ankle, it's important that you rest the ankle to avoid worsening the injury. Stay seated or lay down as much as possible with your ankle elevated. If you must walk, walk slowly, and use a crutch to take some of the weight off of your injured ankle. If this is too painful, try applying a brace to the injured ankle so you can still get around.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- It's okay to still be somewhat active during the first 48 hours. In fact, mild activity (e.g., walking with a crutch) can help keep the muscles in your injured ankle strong.
- You can purchase a brace at a medical-supply shop. Ankle braces may also be sold at large pharmacies or drugstores.
2
Place an ice pack on the injured ankle for 15–20 minutes. If you don't have an ice pack handy, try wetting a washcloth and wrapping it around 6–7 ice cubes, or use a bag of frozen vegetables as an ice pack. Opt for something with small pieces, such as frozen peas or corn. Then apply the ice pack to the ankle. Hold the ice lightly against the injured ankle so that it cools down the skin but doesn't cause pain.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Applying an ice pack to the injured ankle will cause the blood vessels to constrict and to limit blood flow to the injured area, which minimizes swelling.
- Applying ice to the injured ankle has the added benefit of providing pain relief by numbing the nerve endings in the area.
- You can buy gel ice packs at a pharmacy or drugstore.
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3
Apply ice 4–8 times daily for the first 48 hours following the injury. During the first 48 hours, the injured ankle will be swollen and may be quite painful, so the ice will help to lessen this swelling. As with the initial icing, keep the ice pack on the ankle for 15–20 minutes each time. Ice the ankle whenever it feels painful or starts to swell up, or whenever you have time in your schedule to apply ice.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Holding the ice pack against the injured ankle for more than 20 minutes could cause frostbite or damage the skin.
4
Compress the injured ankle for 48 hours to prevent swelling. The best way to compress your ankle is to slide your foot inside of an elastic or neoprene compression sock (or a compression sleeve that fits around your ankle). A compression sock will put even pressure on your ankle and prevent it from swelling up after the injury. If you don't have access to a compression sock, you can use an elastic wrap or bandage instead.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceFamilyDoctor.orgFamily-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family DoctorsGo to source}
- You can buy a compression sleeve or sock at most pharmacies and drugstores. They'll also be available at most sports-supply shops and even at some large supermarkets.
5
Elevate the injured ankle above your heart to decrease any swelling. When you're at home during the first 48 hours after injuring your ankle, spend as much time as possible lying down or sitting with the injured ankle elevated. Recline on your back and place your injured ankle on a stack of cushions or a chair situated near the base of the sofa or bed you're lying on. When you're reclining, the injured ankle should always be higher than the level of the heart.^{[6]XResearch source}
- While you're elevating your injured ankle, keep your leg straight. Try not to bend your leg so there is no added pressure on the ankle.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Dealing with Serious Injury or Pain

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1
Consult with a doctor if the ankle does not improve after 2–3 days. If the ankle doesn't bear weight or is still swollen after 72 hours, it may be seriously injured. Visit your doctor and describe how the injury occurred, how you've been treating it, and how much pain you're experiencing. Let the doctor examine the injured ankle. The doctor may also take X-rays of the ankle to make sure it is not a bone fracture.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceFamilyDoctor.orgFamily-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family DoctorsGo to source}
- Also see your doctor if you notice red streaks or patches extending outward from the injured area. This can be a sign of an infection.
2
Take NSAID pain relievers to help with swelling and manage the pain. Over-the-counter pain meds such as ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be very helpful in relieving pain during the healing process. They also prevent swelling, which will allow your ankle to heal itself more quickly. Take the caplets as directed on the packaging, and avoid taking more than 3,200 mg of any NSAID each day.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of Family PhysiciansOrganization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communitiesGo to source}
- You can purchase NSAID meds at any pharmacy or drugstore.
3
Go to the emergency room if the injured ankle cannot bear weight. Also, go to an ER if the ankle is completely numb or if you cannot bend the ankle joint. These are signs of a torn ligament, and the ankle may need to be surgically treated to repair the bones and ligaments in the ankle. If you're not capable of driving yourself, ask a friend or family member to take you, or call 911 for an ambulance.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- If the ankle is broken—and especially if any bones are sticking out from the injured ankle—head to the ER immediately.
- A tingling sensation in the ankle can indicate that the injured area is not getting enough blood and oxygen. This can also indicate nerve damage.

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When you damage the ligaments in your ankle, substances called prostaglandins accumulate in the damaged area. These substances stimulate the pain receptors to send pain signals to your brain and to cause swelling in the area by dilating the blood vessels to increase blood flow.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source} The more blood flowing to the injured area, the more swelling occurs.
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If you've injured the ligaments in your ankle, it may take several days for the ankle to return to normal. Injured ligaments swell rapidly and are usually very painful. The greater the pain and swelling is, the more severe the injury likely is.
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If you have blood-circulation issues, talk to your doctor before applying an ice pack to your injury. Blood circulation problems and disorders such as diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (narrowing of arteries that supply blood to the legs) and Buerger's disease (narrowing of blood vessels in the arms and legs), can worsen if the limb is iced.
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