Ankle injuries can be very difficult due to the major impact they can have on your daily life. Having an effective and speedy treatment plan is important for the long-term health of your ankle, but it can also get you back to your day-to-day routine faster. If you have an ankle injury it’s important to seek medical attention from a skilled podiatrist. Below you will find helpful information on how to speed up ankle injury treatment.
How to Speed Up Ankle Injury Treatment
Ankle fractures are serious and require immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity of fracture, you may need surgery. You will also likely need a cast as it will help immobilize the fracture so it can heal properly. The treatment timeline for an ankle fracture depends on your unique injury, but it can take between 8 to 12 weeks to heal. Ankle fracture treatment from a skilled podiatrist makes a huge difference in terms of your outcome. They can help guide you through the process so you can heal as fast as possible.
Ankle sprains are also a highly common injury. In fact, 85% of all ankle injuries are ankle sprains. Sprains have a much vaster range in terms of severity. It’s important to get your ankle sprain examined by a medical professional. Even the least severe ankle sprains may require treatment. Unlike ankle fractures, it can take ankle sprains between 3 weeks and 6 months to heal depending on the severity. Most people think sprains are less serious than fractures, but it’s important to get any ankle injury you have looked at by a medical professional.
Ankle Injury Treatment Tips
Nobody wants to deal with an ankle injury for longer than necessary. Consider the following tips if you have an ankle injury.
- Immediate Treatment: The first and most important tip is to get professional medical treatment right away. Do not rely on the advice of friends or family for treatment or home remedies. Your ankle is an integral component of your gait so it’s important to get it treated so you don’t have to deal with the long-term effects of the injury. Avoiding immediate treatment can also place you at a higher risk for further injury, and it can also increase swelling and inflammation.
- PRICE Method: The PRICE method is effective in immediately treating your ankle injury. However, this should not be a substitute for actual medical treatment. The “P” stands for protection as you’ll need to protect your ankle from the risk of further injury. The “R” stands for rest as you should take weight off of your ankle and avoid anything that could cause more injury. The “I” is for ice as you should apply a cold compress for 20 minutes 3 to 5 times a day for the first few days. You should continue icing your ankle unless your medical provider advises otherwise. The “C” is for compression as you’ll need to apply some pressure to the ankle in the form of a wrap. You should contact your medical provider to see what their advice is as you don’t want to cause more harm. The “E” stands for elevate as you should try and keep your injured ankle elevated as much as possible to improve circulation and assist in healing.
- Follow the Plan: Once you have a treatment plan from a skilled podiatrist in Westlake Village, you should follow it. Taking short cuts won’t help with your treatment timeline. In fact, it may only extend your treatment timeline. Be sure and attend all of your follow-up appointments as your podiatrist may adjust your treatment plan depending on your progress.
