ANKLE INJURY ADVICE SHEET

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                                                             Patient Information
Minor Injuries Unit                                                                                       Community Services
Alfred Bean Hospital
Driffield
01377 208733

Minor Injuries Unit
Hornsea Cottage Hospital
Hornsea
01964 533146
                                                                                                ANKLE INJURY
Minor Injuries Unit
Withernsea Community Hospital                                                                   ADVICE SHEET
Withernsea
01964 61466

Other resources:
www.erypct.nhs.uk

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            Please contact the Head of Quality and Risk
                         on 01377 208802

             Nëse dëshironi ndihmë me këtë dokument,
                ju lutemi telefononi 01430 457351


               Eğer bu döküman ile ilgili olarak yardım
                            istiyorsanız,                                          Author: Dean Hems
           lütfen 01430 457353 numaralı telefonu arayınız.                         Published: July 2010
                                                                                   Review: July 2012
                                                                                   Reference No: 100
                                                           Elevation – Elevating the affected ankle will limit and
Following the examination of your injury you have          reduce swelling. The ankle should be at hip level if you
been diagnosed as having a sprain of one or more           are sat down and when laying flat should be above the
ligaments of your ankle. A ligament is a tough fibrous     level of your heart.
tissue that attaches bones to other bones and helps to
make joints, like the ankle, stable. Ligaments have        Compression - The Practitioner may recommend that
very little capacity to stretch and therefore are          compression, in the form of tubular bandage, is applied to
vulnerable to partial tears if they are stressed beyond    your injured ankle. If this is the case then they will advise
their normal capacity.                                     on any actions that need to be taken.

A damaged ankle ligament may cause inflammation,           Medication – Painkillers and, perhaps, Non-steroidal
swelling, bruising and pain around the ankle and the       anti-inflammatories may be advised by the Practitioner.
aims of treatment are to keep the inflammation,            These can be purchased over the counter and should be
swelling and pain to a minimum.                            taken as per the instructions on the packet.

Treatment of a sprain for the first 48hrs                  Treatment of a sprain 48hrs after injury and beyond

Rest – Rest the affected ankle for the first 48hrs after   Movement – For most minor sprains you should initially
injury. This may mean that the Practitioner will advise    carry out the full range of movement of the ankle gently
that you use crutches and if so you will be shown how      and slowly. Increase to free movement as you are able.
to use these appropriately and safely.                     You should not do any movements that cause you too
                                                           much pain. Return to playing sport or vigorous exercise
Ice – The application of ice may reduce pain and           is dependant on the individual and the extent of the sprain
inflammation. Ice should be applied as soon as             however it should usually be avoided for at least 3-4
possible after injury for 20-30mins. Do not leave for      weeks.
longer than 30mins or apply ice direct to the skin as
this may cause burns. A damp cloth should be               Elevation – Continue to elevate your affected ankle as
applied over the affected ankle, ice cubes in a plastic    you are able until the swelling has completely reduced.
bag should then be placed over this. A bag of frozen
peas make a good alternative to ice-cubes. This            Follow-up – If your pain and movement is not improving
process can be repeated every 2-3 hours and may be         or worsens you should return to the Minor Injuries Unit for
useful for up to 72 hours after injury.                    review.