How to quickly recover from an ankle sprain while playing basketball
Dec 23, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
Wrapping the ankle moderately with an elastic bandage can help apply pressure to stop bleeding and reduce swelling. Start from the base of the toes and wrap the bandage upward, making sure not to wrap it too tightly, as this may affect blood circulation. You can check the color and temperature of the toes to determine whether the wrapping is too tight. If the toes become purple and cold, it indicates that the bandage is too tight and needs to be loosened appropriately.
Generally speaking, there is no such thing as a quick fix for "how to treat an ankle sprain from playing basketball." Ankle sprains sustained while playing basketball can be treated through rest, ice application, compression bandaging, elevation of the affected limb, and medication. The specific methods are as follows:
1. Rest: Immediately stop exercising after the sprain to avoid putting weight on the injured ankle and prevent further injury. Find a safe place to sit or lie down and elevate your foot to reduce swelling.
2. Ice Application: Within 48-72 hours after the injury, wrap an ice pack in a thin towel and apply it to the swollen area of the ankle. Ice application can constrict blood vessels, reduce bleeding and swelling, and relieve pain. Apply ice for 15-20 minutes each time, 3-4 times daily. Avoid direct contact between the ice and skin to prevent frostbite.
3. Compression Bandage: Properly wrapping the ankle with an elastic bandage can help stop bleeding and reduce swelling. Start wrapping from the base of the toes and move upward, ensuring the bandage is not too tight to avoid affecting blood circulation. You can check the tightness by observing the color and temperature of the toes; if the toes turn purple and feel cold, the bandage is too tight and should be loosened slightly.
4. Elevate the Affected Limb: Elevate the injured ankle above heart level to facilitate blood and lymphatic fluid return, thereby reducing swelling. During rest, place several pillows under your feet to maintain elevation. When sleeping, place two thick pillows under the calves and feet to keep the ankle above heart level, helping alleviate swelling at night.
5. Medication: If the pain is severe, you can take medications such as meloxicam tablets, ibuprofen tablets, or aspirin enteric-coated tablets under a doctor's guidance to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Additionally, medications such as swelling and pain-relieving tincture, diclofenac diethylamine gel, and musk bone-strengthening plasters may be used as directed by a physician to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Avoid excessive exercise and strenuous activity during recovery to prevent aggravating the injury or delaying healing. If the pain is severe after the sprain, significant swelling occurs, or there are signs of deformity, bone friction sounds, or other indications of fracture, seek medical attention promptly to determine if there are serious injuries such as fractures or ligament tears.
