Readers ask: How To Help Pain Of A Sprained Foot?

Will walking on a sprained foot make it worse?

Walking bare foot or in flip flops can make your sprain worse. If you feel any sharp pain, stop the activity. Ice your foot after activity if you have any discomfort.

What is the fastest way to heal a sprained foot?

Self-care

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.

Is it OK to walk on a sprained foot?

Walk or put weight on your sprained foot as long as it does not hurt. If your doctor gave you a splint or immobilizer, wear it as directed. If you were given crutches, use them as directed. For the first 2 days after your injury, avoid hot showers, hot tubs, or hot packs.

How painful is a foot sprain?

A foot sprain can be painful and often comes with bruising, swelling and inability to move the foot. Sports-related accidents are the main cause of foot sprains.

How long do foot sprains take to heal?

Most minor-to-moderate injuries will heal within 2 to 4 weeks. More severe injuries, such as injuries that need a cast or splint, will need a longer time to heal, up to 6 to 8 weeks.

Should I wrap a sprained foot?

Proper initial care of your sprained ankle is critical. A compression wrap helps decrease swelling. If swelling is kept to a minimum, it may help your ankle feel better.

Should you massage a sprained foot?

Massage can help ease pain while promoting blood flow to the sprained area. If the injury is particularly severe or painful, a person should seek advice from a qualified massage therapist. For less severe injuries, a person can try gentle massage at home.

Can a sprained foot heal on its own?

The appropriate treatment for a torn ligament in the foot varies depending on the severity of the injury. Minor sprains resulting from small tears to your ligaments–often referred to as grade I– will generally heal on their own within a few weeks.

Do you have to go to the doctor for a sprained foot?

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. SooHoo and Williams say.

Can a sprained foot get worse?

If your symptoms last more than a week without getting better, or if they seem to be getting worse and are accompanied by a fever, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. More severe sprains should be treated by a healthcare provider.

How do you treat a midfoot sprain?

If you experience an injury and have symptoms of a midfoot sprain or injury, treat initially using the following steps:

1. Rest (you may need crutches if your pain is extreme)
2. Ice the affected area intermittently throughout the day.
3. Elevate the foot as much as you can to decrease swelling.

Should you wrap a midfoot sprain?

Compress your foot. You may need to use tape or an elastic bandage to support your foot if you have a mild sprain. You may need a splint on your foot for support if your sprain is severe. Wear your splint for as many days as directed. Elevate your foot above the level of your heart as often as you can.

How long does a sprained foot stay swollen?

You should feel much better after 2 weeks. Up to a third of people still have some pain after a year. Once the swelling has gone down and you can walk without pain, you can probably start exercises to build flexibility and strength. Check with your doctor first.

How do I know if my foot injury is serious?

You should make a doctor’s appointment after a foot injury if:

1. you feel pain in your foot for most of the day and it’s been a few weeks since your injury.
2. you have swelling that isn’t getting better two to five days after your injury.
3. you feel tingling, numbness, or burning pain—especially in the bottom of your foot.

Is foot broken or sprained?

In general, a broken foot tends to be more painful than a sprained foot, and the pain lasts longer. Bruising, swelling, and tenderness are also more severe if your foot is broken. Another way to tell the difference between a broken foot and sprained foot is the sound the body makes when the injury occurs.