How to Ice an Injured Ankle
Go to the emergency room if any bones are visible or protruding from the injured ankle., Head to the emergency room if the injured ankle is numb, it cannot bear weight, or there is a tingling sensation., Only apply ice to an injured ankle if it is...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Go to the emergency room if any bones are visible or protruding from the injured ankle.
This means bones have been broken in the ankle as a result of the extreme force applied to it.This level of injury is serious and will require surgical repair of the bones in the ankle to return it in its normal position. -
Step 2: Head to the emergency room if the injured ankle is numb
These are symptoms that the injured area is not getting enough blood and oxygen.
This can also indicate nerve damage, such as a torn ligament.Applying ice to the injured area will only aggravate the condition as the cold temperature will constrict blood vessels and limit blood flow to the area. , Waiting 24 hours to put ice on the injury will allow the body to supply more blood, oxygen and nutrients to the injured area to facilitate healing.If ice application is done within the first 24 hours, healing of the area will be compromised. , This will help to establish trust and cooperation on their part.
Let them know the ice application will help to lessen the pain in their ankle, and that they will have to keep the ice pack on for at least 15-20 minutes. , This will prevent the transmission of harmful microorganisms. , Make sure it can be treated at home and does not have any symptoms of a serious injury that needs immediate medical attention.
Ask the person about the date and time of the ankle injury so you can confirm you are icing it 24 hours after the injury occurred. , You will need a cold ice pack and a clean cloth.
If you don’t have an ice pack, you can take a handful of ice and wrap it in a plastic bag or a clean cloth.
You can also use a bag of frozen peas, in a pinch.
Do not apply the ice pack directly to the skin as it can cause cold burns, or skin damage from extremely cold temperature that can leave blisters or damage to the underlying skin tissue., Put a clean towel below their injured foot so the ice application will not make a mess. , You want to ensure the person won’t put any force on their injury.
So, have them put their injured ankle on an object that is higher than the level of their hips, while sitting.
Make sure they do not bend their leg so there is no added pressure on the ankle. , Tell the person that the application may cause a little discomfort but will subside after the ice is removed. , During the ice application, talk to the person and ask them if their skin starts to feel numb.
This way, you can assess if it is time to remove the ice.A numb sensation can be described as inability to feel anything.
Usually, upon application of ice, the person can still feel the cold temperature.
But as time passes, the person starts to feel nothing at all. , Reapply the ice pack every 2 to 4 hours daily on their ankle until the swelling subsides.
Never leave the ice pack on the person’s ankle unattended as this can cause further injury, such as cold burns.
Repeat the ice application for the next 48 hours.
During the first 48 hours the person’s injured ankle will be very swollen, so the ice will help to lessen this swelling. , This will prevent the transmission of harmful microorganisms. , Have the person lay down on their back and place their injured ankle on a chair or an object that is 2-3 feet high.
The leg with the injured ankle should always be higher than the level of the heart., The person should try to walk slowly, though they may need assistance at first.There should be gradual progressive improvement of the injury.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be very helpful in relieving their pain during the healing process. , The doctor will ask questions about how the injury occurred and examine the injured ankle.
The doctor may also take X-rays of the ankle to make sure it is not a bone fracture.Keep in mind if the injury is mild, there may not be much pain or swelling.
The severity of the injury depends on how badly the ligaments are stretched or torn in the ankle.
It’s important to go see a doctor if the injured ankle has already been injured before., Whether you are playing contact sports or doing a work-related task, injuries to the ankles means the tendons (soft tissue connecting muscle to the bone) and the ligaments (tissue connecting two bones) of the ankle have been affected.
As a result, the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to these tissues also get torn and leak blood into the surrounding tissues, resulting in bruising on the injured area.
Substances called prostaglandins also 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.The more blood flowing to the injured area, the more swelling occurs. , Your body will send send blood to the injured area, resulting in swelling, as a way to protect itself by supplying sufficient oxygen and nutrients to facilitate healing.Cold applications such as an ice pack cause the blood vessels to constrict and to limit blood flow to the injured area, which minimizes swelling.
An ice application to the injured ankle has an added benefit of providing pain relief by numbing the nerve endings in the area., Blood circulation issues 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 get worse due to a cold application. -
Step 3: it cannot bear weight
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Step 4: or there is a tingling sensation.
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Step 5: Only apply ice to an injured ankle if it is swollen
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Step 6: and 24 hours after the injury occurred.
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Step 7: Explain the procedure to the injured person.
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Step 8: Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and clean water.
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Step 9: Assess the person’s ankle injury.
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Step 10: Prepare the necessary materials.
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Step 11: Have the injured person sit or lie comfortably in an open area.
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Step 12: Elevate the injured ankle.
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Step 13: Place the ice pack or ice wrapped in cloth on the injured ankle.
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Step 14: Hold the ice pack in place for 5 to 20 minutes or until the person’s skin feels numb.
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Step 15: Remove the ice pack once the person tells you the injured area is numb.
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Step 16: Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and clean water after each application.
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Step 17: Keep the injured ankle elevated as it recovers.
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Step 18: Allow the person to use their injured ankle after two days.
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Step 19: Consult with a doctor if the injury does not improve after 2 to 3 days.
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Step 20: Be aware that an injury to the ankle means the tendons and ligaments have become disrupted or torn.
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Step 21: Understand how applying an ice pack to the area reduces swelling.
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Step 22: If you have blood circulation issues
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Step 23: talk to your doctor before applying an ice pack to your injury.
Detailed Guide
This means bones have been broken in the ankle as a result of the extreme force applied to it.This level of injury is serious and will require surgical repair of the bones in the ankle to return it in its normal position.
These are symptoms that the injured area is not getting enough blood and oxygen.
This can also indicate nerve damage, such as a torn ligament.Applying ice to the injured area will only aggravate the condition as the cold temperature will constrict blood vessels and limit blood flow to the area. , Waiting 24 hours to put ice on the injury will allow the body to supply more blood, oxygen and nutrients to the injured area to facilitate healing.If ice application is done within the first 24 hours, healing of the area will be compromised. , This will help to establish trust and cooperation on their part.
Let them know the ice application will help to lessen the pain in their ankle, and that they will have to keep the ice pack on for at least 15-20 minutes. , This will prevent the transmission of harmful microorganisms. , Make sure it can be treated at home and does not have any symptoms of a serious injury that needs immediate medical attention.
Ask the person about the date and time of the ankle injury so you can confirm you are icing it 24 hours after the injury occurred. , You will need a cold ice pack and a clean cloth.
If you don’t have an ice pack, you can take a handful of ice and wrap it in a plastic bag or a clean cloth.
You can also use a bag of frozen peas, in a pinch.
Do not apply the ice pack directly to the skin as it can cause cold burns, or skin damage from extremely cold temperature that can leave blisters or damage to the underlying skin tissue., Put a clean towel below their injured foot so the ice application will not make a mess. , You want to ensure the person won’t put any force on their injury.
So, have them put their injured ankle on an object that is higher than the level of their hips, while sitting.
Make sure they do not bend their leg so there is no added pressure on the ankle. , Tell the person that the application may cause a little discomfort but will subside after the ice is removed. , During the ice application, talk to the person and ask them if their skin starts to feel numb.
This way, you can assess if it is time to remove the ice.A numb sensation can be described as inability to feel anything.
Usually, upon application of ice, the person can still feel the cold temperature.
But as time passes, the person starts to feel nothing at all. , Reapply the ice pack every 2 to 4 hours daily on their ankle until the swelling subsides.
Never leave the ice pack on the person’s ankle unattended as this can cause further injury, such as cold burns.
Repeat the ice application for the next 48 hours.
During the first 48 hours the person’s injured ankle will be very swollen, so the ice will help to lessen this swelling. , This will prevent the transmission of harmful microorganisms. , Have the person lay down on their back and place their injured ankle on a chair or an object that is 2-3 feet high.
The leg with the injured ankle should always be higher than the level of the heart., The person should try to walk slowly, though they may need assistance at first.There should be gradual progressive improvement of the injury.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be very helpful in relieving their pain during the healing process. , The doctor will ask questions about how the injury occurred and examine the injured ankle.
The doctor may also take X-rays of the ankle to make sure it is not a bone fracture.Keep in mind if the injury is mild, there may not be much pain or swelling.
The severity of the injury depends on how badly the ligaments are stretched or torn in the ankle.
It’s important to go see a doctor if the injured ankle has already been injured before., Whether you are playing contact sports or doing a work-related task, injuries to the ankles means the tendons (soft tissue connecting muscle to the bone) and the ligaments (tissue connecting two bones) of the ankle have been affected.
As a result, the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to these tissues also get torn and leak blood into the surrounding tissues, resulting in bruising on the injured area.
Substances called prostaglandins also 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.The more blood flowing to the injured area, the more swelling occurs. , Your body will send send blood to the injured area, resulting in swelling, as a way to protect itself by supplying sufficient oxygen and nutrients to facilitate healing.Cold applications such as an ice pack cause the blood vessels to constrict and to limit blood flow to the injured area, which minimizes swelling.
An ice application to the injured ankle has an added benefit of providing pain relief by numbing the nerve endings in the area., Blood circulation issues 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 get worse due to a cold application.
About the Author
Edward Knight
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in crafts and beyond.
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