How long does a minor sprain take to heal?

Mild sprains typically begin to feel better in a few days to a week and heal by six weeks. More severe ankle sprains could take more than a few weeks or months to fully recover. Severe sprains may cause excruciating pain, crutches may be needed. A return to regular activities may be delayed for weeks or months.

How do you treat a minor sprain?

Rest the injured limb. Your doctor may recommend not putting any weight on the injured area for 48 to 72 hours, so you may need to use crutches.
Ice the area.
Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage.
Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.

What does a minor sprain feel like?

With a sprain, you may feel a tear or pop in the joint as it happens. The joint may then feel either stiff or unstable. With a strain, you may have spasms or cramping in the affected muscle. The worse the sprain or strain, the harder it is to use the affected area.

How do you know if a sprain is minor?

Symptoms

Pain.
Swelling.
Bruising.
Limited ability to move the affected joint.
Hearing or feeling a “pop” in your joint at the time of injury.

Does ibuprofen heal sprains?

Avoid Ibuprofen When Healing From a Sprain Some recent studies have suggested that NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) might stop the body’s natural response, which is to increase the flow of blood to the area to promote healing.

Is ice good for sprains?

Ice packs can help minimize swelling around the injury, reduce bleeding into the tissues, and reduce muscle spasm and pain. Ice packs are often used after injuries like ankle sprains have occurred.

How do you know if a sprain is serious?

People with a more severe ankle sprain — characterized by extreme bruising or swelling and an inability to bear weight on the foot without significant pain, or when there doesn’t seem to be any improvement over the first several days after the injury — should seek medical attention, Drs.

What does a Grade 1 sprain look like?

Grade I Ankle Sprain Symptoms In a Grade I sprain, there is stretching of one or more of the ankle ligaments. Patients may notice slight pain, tenderness and swelling; however, they will still be able to bear weight on the foot and walk with a relatively normal gait despite some mild stiffness.

How should I sleep with a sprained foot?

Elevating a sprained ankle reduces the accumulation of fluid in the joint. This can ease swelling, which may also help reduce pain. Try sleeping with the foot and ankle propped up on pillows at a level higher than the heart. When sitting or resting, use pillows or a footrest to keep the foot and ankle elevated.

Is a hot bath good for sprained ankle?

After a few days, you can soak your ankle in a warm bath with Epsom salt. It’s important to apply cold during the first few days after an injury. Epsom salt may help soothe sore muscles and connective tissues, and it may help with joint stiffness. Try adding Epsom salts to a warm or somewhat hot bath 1-2 times per day.