Ankle Sprain Rehab
Ankle sprain rehab is a term that denotes the treatment of a sprain that may be moderate to severe. In some cases there is little that a doctor or therapist can do; usually the patient recognizes such sprains as being very mild. A bit of care and extra rest usually gets the affected ankle working well again. When ankle sprain rehab is indicated, however, all is not well, and getting the ankle to properly heal requires a good bit of effort and also the involvement of medical professionals. At home ankle sprain rehab is a good deal easier.
When the tendons that are found all around the join are affected to such an extent as to make the sprain moderate or even severe, ankle sprain rehab is most likely the only viable option for healing. Ankle sprain rehab dealing with a grade two sprain usually requires the sufferer to overcome the instability associated with the limb and its partially torn ligaments. For third grade sprains, the severity of the instability increases and it is here that the entire ligament has in effect been torn.
Anyone attempting ankle sprain rehab at home will do well to remember that the first order of business is rest. Keeping the affected limb immobile decreases the chances of further injuring the joint and also causing any additional or more severe tears of the ligaments. Interestingly, rest does not necessary mean sitting on a couch; it also refers to using crutches to get around or a wheelchair to prevent weight being placed on the affected ankle. Temporary immobilization is vital when it comes to preventing any further spraining in the early hours and days after the injury.
Ice packs are another way of providing for ankle sprain rehab in the home. Since the blood flow to the affected ankle is slowed down by using the ice, the swelling is reduced and bruising may actually also be curtailed to a large degree. After the initial 24 hours have passed and the swelling has been controlled with the ice packs, ankle sprain rehab at home also requires the use of an ace bandage that helps to keep slight pressure on the affected ankle. The trick to using this kind of bandage is to wrap it as tight as needed to provide some support, but not so tight as to cause painful blood stoppage. A happy middle ground may be hard to find for the first timer.