Sprains are generally treated with self-care methods and over-the-counter pain medication. As you recover, be sure to avoid strenuous activities that put pressure on the affected joint until you have clearance from your doctor. If you start activity too soon after your injury, you risk re-injuring the healing ligament. While recovering, the best method of treatment to encourage healing is the RICE strategy:
- Rest: You do not have to avoid all physical activity, but stay clear of motions and exercises that put stress on the affected joint. This helps the ligament heal.
- Ice: It is recommended that you apply ice to a sprain immediately after the injury occurs. This helps encourage blood flow and reduces inflammation. Apply an ice pack to the injury for 15-30 minutes, 3-4 times a day. Wrap ice or ice pack in a clean towel to prevent the pack from damaging exposed skin.
- Compression: Compression helps encourage blood flow and reduces swelling. Wrap the injured area in an elastic bandage, starting at the end of the body that is farthest from the heart. Do not wrap the injury too tightly, or you will restrict blood flow to the area. Keep the injury wrapped until the swelling subsides.
- Elevation: Elevating the area above the heart can help reduce inflammation and encourage healing. It is especially important that you do this while sleeping.
Other forms of treatment include:
- OTC pain relievers: To relieve pain and reduce inflammation, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
- Stretching: As pain and swelling begin to subside, you can start to gradually and gently stretch the injured joint to regain mobility. If you feel any intense pain, stop stretching right away as this can further damage the ligament.