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This recommendation assumes you are looking at a minor sprain.

Pharmacist

There is nothing like it is just a sprain. You have to take this seriously. 

Know that for the first 48 to 72 hours you have to pay the PRICE (Protect, Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) and do no HARM (no Heat, Alcohol, Running, Massage).

That should be easy to remember. See what is recommended using this approach and which over the counter pain medications will help below.

Ankle sprain


Paying the PRICE

 

First 48 to 72 hours:    

1. Protect the ankle from further injury. Use an ankle brace or elastic ACE bandage.

If you need to go to the pharmacy to get these things, try wearing a boot with high sides or lace-up shoe to give the protection the ankle need.

2. Rest the ankle.
You will need crutches if you decide to move around.

3. Ice, ice and ice.
Apply an ice pack for 10 to 30 minutes every 1 to 2 hours during the day.

Less than 10 minutes have little or no effect.

More than 30 minutes may be too long and can damage the skin.

Don't need to go to the pharmacy looking for ice bags. Grab a bag of peas from the freezer and put on it or get a ziplock bag, fill with water about 1/3 of the way, add about 5 to 7 cubes of ice and use as an ice bag. Or make an ice pack by wrapping ice cubes in a plastic bag or towel.

4. Compression.
Use an elastic bandage for compression. This is to help reduce swelling, rest it and remind you of the injured ankle before you start trying to use it.
Make sure it is not too tight. You want the blood to flow.

5. Elevate.
Raise the ankle above the level of your heart for 2 to 3 hours a day to reduce swelling.
Lie on a sofa and put your foot on some cushions, or put your foot on a pillow while in bed.

 

 

Do No Harm

 

First 48 to 72 hours:

No Heat.

Avoid heat when inflammation is forming as it increases blood flow to the area.
Wait till after 72 hours when no inflammation is likely to develop before using heat to provide a soothing effect if you like.

No Alcohol.
Drinking alcohol can increase bleeding, swelling and decrease healing.

No Running.
Avoid this. Don't do it within the first 72 hours just because you can.

No Massage.
Wait till after 72 hours. This can increase bleeding and swelling.
But may be soothing after 72 hours.

 

 

 

OTC  medications

 

Acetaminophen:

Take this to help with the pain within the first 24 to 48 hours.

Do not use anti-inflammatory pain relievers for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Let the body's natural inflammatory process kick in to improve healing and protect the surrounding tissues from this trauma.

NSAIDS:

Start this after 24 to 48 hours to reduce the swelling and stop the inflammation.
Examples are naproxen and ibuprofen
 

 

 

Last updated by pharmacist on : 03/26/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.
Pharmacist

Our disclaimer

  • Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
  • Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
  • The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
    "If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
    It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
  • The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
    Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
  • Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

 

 

 

 

 

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