Broken Ankle: Cold vs. Heat - What's Best for Healing?

Cold is better for a broken ankle than heat.

When you apply heat to an injury, it causes the blood vessels to dilate, which increases blood flow to the area. This can cause swelling and inflammation, which can actually worsen the pain and slow down the healing process.

Cold, on the other hand, constricts the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the area. This can help to reduce swelling and inflammation, and it can also help to numb the pain.

In addition, cold can help to speed up the healing process by promoting the formation of new blood vessels and tissue.

For these reasons, cold is the better choice for treating a broken ankle.