How long will a sprained ankle stay swollen?

Swelling normally doesn’t appear immediately. It could take several hours to develop. If you develop swelling, it could last up to 48 hours for a mild to moderate sprain. Swelling on severe sprains may last longer until your torn ligament heals.

How do you tell if ankle is broken or sprained?

While swelling is a symptom of both injuries, if your ankle looks clearly “off,” it’s most likely because a bone is broken. Does your ankle feel numb? With a sprain, you feel pain. But if you have numbness or tingling, your ankle is most likely broken.

What does it mean if your ankle is swollen after a fall?

Swelling: When an ankle is injured with a sprain, inflammation occurs. Swelling is the body’s protective response to an injury. Inflammation occurs because of increased fluid in the tissue. This is a normal reaction of the body and is the start of the healing process.

What helps swollen ankles after fall?

Treatment

  1. Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
  2. Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you’re awake.
  3. Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.
  4. Elevation.

Can you walk on a fractured ankle?

Many people assume that if you can put weight on the ankle then it isn’t broken, however, it is possible to walk on a broken ankle, particularly with a less severe fracture. If you’re concerned your ankle may be broken, we recommend contacting your doctor, who can conduct an examination or order and xray if necessary.

Why won’t my ankle swelling go down?

Lingering inflammation, scar tissue, or a partly torn ligament can occur in the hollow place in the side of the anklebone called the sinus tarsi (sinus in Latin means hollow or sunken and the tarsus is the ankle). This is the most common cause of the sprained ankle that won’t heal.

Should I go to ER for ankle injury?

Go to urgent care if your pain level and swelling is significant and you have difficulty walking, to the point that you need assistance, due to the pain. Go to the emergency room if your foot is bruised, deformed, or you are unable to walk at all. You may have a fracture, broken bone or serious ligament damage.