Taking Care of a Sprained Ankle

How your foot doctor in Vineland can help with a sprained ankle

Suffering an ankle sprain is easier than you think, and you don’t have to be an athlete to hurt your ankle. Ankle sprains can be painful and frustrating, keeping you from your daily routine. The good news is there are ways to take care of a sprained ankle. Dr. Jeffrey Belancio at South Jersey Foot and Ankle Specialists in Vineland, NJ wants to share the facts about what to do for a sprained ankle.

You can sprain your ankle easily if you are a runner or a jogger, but you can also sprain your ankle just from stepping off of a curb incorrectly. So how do you know if you have sprained your ankle? You will experience:

• Ankle pain that is severe
• Ankle swelling and bruising
• Ankle popping sounds when you try to walk
• Ankle instability and abnormal movement of your ankle

If you experience the signs and symptoms of a sprained ankle, try to take the weight off of your ankle as soon as possible by elevating your ankle and resting for a couple of days. In addition, you can try:

• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen
• Icing your ankle for 20 minutes several times daily
• Wrapping your ankle in support bandages to stabilize it

You should also visit Dr. Belancio as soon as you can, especially if you have suffered a severe sprain. He may recommend:

• A walking cast or ankle brace to immobilize your ankle and help it heal
• Crutches to take the weight off of your ankle while you move around
• Stretching and physical therapy to improve ankle flexibility

For more information about preventing and treating ankle sprains, please visit the ankle sprains page on the South Jersey Foot and Ankle Specialists website at http://www.sjfas.com/blog/post/preventing-and-treating-ankle-sprains.html

Don’t suffer with a sprained ankle when relief is just a phone call away. Call Dr. Belancio at South Jersey Foot and Ankle Specialists in Vineland, NJ. He can help you get back on your feet, so call today!