Heat & Ice Treatment for a Sprained Ankle

When someone twists or turns an ankle, a sprain occurs. A sprain is when the ligament is stretched or torn, causing pain and swelling that can usually be treated at home.

PRINCE

• Seek first aid as soon as a sprained ankle occurs. PRINCE is a mnemonic aid that can be used to remember the order of treatment: Protect, rest, ice, compress and elevate the ankle. The "N" is for taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Ice

• Apply ice to the area until the swelling goes down. Ice can be applied every few hours for not more than 20 minutes at a time. If the swelling has not decreased, ice treatment can be continued for another day or two.

Heat

• While applying heat to a sprained ankle may sooth pain, ice is preferred because it reduces swelling and heat does not.

Inflammation

• The benefit of using ice instead of heat to treat a sprained ankle is that ice actually slows down blood flow in the affected area, thereby lessening the inflammatory response. Heat increases blood flow, which can increase the inflammation and slow recovery.

Additional Treatment

• If using ice to treat a sprained ankle has little or no effect and the swelling continues, medical treatment should be sought. A thin fracture or severely torn ligament may be the cause.