Causes of ankle sprains What happens to the ankle when it is sprained? In fact, our joints can rotate thanks to the ligaments that are attached to them. Ligaments are similar to skin in that they are composed of collagen fibers (made of collagen) and elastic fibers, which make them elastic like a spring. Middle school physics tells us that there is a limit to the elasticity of a spring and that if this limit is exceeded, the spring will be damaged. A sprained ankle can cause the ligaments to exceed their elastic limit, thus causing damage to the ligaments. One possible scenario for an ankle sprain Most cases of ankle sprains are torn ligaments, and sprains in this case usually take a week or two to recover. More severe ankle sprains may be accompanied by avulsion fractures, which, although not uncommon, can take a month or two to recover from. We all know that swelling (due to broken capillaries and fluid in the joint) occurs after a sprained ankle, so the key to a sprained ankle is to reduce the swelling. According to the American Foot and Ankle Surgery Society (AOFAS), the treatment of ankle sprains is divided into four steps: R (rest, rest): do not use the sprained foot too much, and use crutches to walk if necessary. I (ice, ice): ice is to slow down the flow of blood, thus achieving the purpose of reducing swelling. However, try not to apply ice for more than 20 minutes, and use clothing fabric to separate the ice pack from the skin to prevent frostbite. In fact, according to my practice, cold compresses with cold water can also achieve the same effect. C (compression, squeeze): is also to reduce swelling, but the use of mechanical methods, violence to violence. Compression does not require constant pressure on the injured part, but can be accomplished by wearing a compression stocking (see below) or a bandage. E (elevation): elevate the injured foot as high as possible above the heart to reduce blood flow to the ankle joint. In fact it is still to reduce the swelling. RICE whole process After strictly following the above steps, I experimented and found that (last year, I sprained my ankle about 10 times, according to this), as long as there is no fracture, even if the ankle sprain instantly hurts so much that I can’t walk at all, I can walk after two days of rest at most, and the swelling is almost completely eliminated; on the third day, there is basically no pain. Although the editor may be able to reply faster due to the exquisite bones, the R.I.C.E. standard is recognized as a good method to reduce swelling. It is worth mentioning that it is not necessary to maintain a strict state of rest during the injury. After 24 hours or after the swelling starts to disappear, you can move your ankle properly, which is good for lymphatic circulation and speeds up the swelling reduction process. In fact the R.I.C.E. standard applies to all arthritis, because one of the major purposes of arthritis is to reduce swelling. However, for normal ankle sprains, R.I.C.E. is the most effective and inexpensive method, without the need for oral or topical pain medication. However, if it is more serious, you should go to the hospital immediately for examination.