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You are more likely to sprain your ankle if you have sprained it before, you are overweight, or there is a tendency in your family for sprains of this type.
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Ligaments are tissues that connect the bones and the opposite sides of a joint to provide stability and create the joint's hing-like action. When a strong, unusual turn or blow is applied to the joint, ligaments may be stretched (strained), partially torn loose at the ends (sprained), or totallly torn (torn ligament).
The typical ankle sprain swells either around the bony bump at the outside of the ankle, or at the top outside of the foot, about two inches forward and below the first location.
Ice it! - To reduce pain and swelling, apply ice to the ankle for 60 minutes every two hours: a plastic bag of crushed ice over a towel works well. |
| Compression - Compression of the ankle may limit swelling - an elastic bandage is usually sufficient. |
| Anti-inflammatory/analgesic - take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain |
| Stay off your feet - and elevate the ankle as much as possible. |
| pain prevents any weight-bearing in the first 24 hours |
| if a knee injury - does the knee wobble from side to side or can't be straightened out |
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