First Aid Within 24 hours of the sprain, try to apply cold compresses with an ice pack every hour for half an hour. After 24 hours, start to replace the affected area with a hot compress to promote blood flow to the injured area. It is forbidden to move the injured joint freely, otherwise it will easily cause ligament tears and make recovery relatively more difficult. Caution If, after several days of self-treatment and rest, the affected area is still painful and difficult to move, it may be a fracture, muscle strain or ligament rupture, and you need to go to the hospital immediately.