The top 10 treatments for ankle sprains are:
1. Understand that the more severe the disability is right after the sprain typically correlates to the damage produced
2. Create a pain free environment (0-2 pain level) as soon as possible with whatever is needed (crutches, boot, brace, etc)
3. If you see black and blue over the first 4 days, you have torn something
4. Just because you have negative x rays does not mean something is not broken (you may need an MRI)
5. Use all aspects of PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation) for a minimum of 6 weeks.
6. Begin strengthening the ankle as soon as you injure it with pain free strengthening exercises
7. Ice only for the first 4 days, then start once daily contrast bathing, with more icing with aggravations
8. See a specialist when you think it will take longer than 2 weeks to completely heal, when you need crutches initially, when you can not bear weight, when you have sharp pain with each step, when you heard a loud pop with immediate swelling, and if the ankle looks deformed.
9. Do not begin to exercise without a brace until minimum of 6 weeks and you have done some balancing exercises
10. After 2 weeks, if your disability is marked (limited walking or can not think about running) consider an MRI.
