Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for an ankle sprain. This means you turned your ankle too far in 1 direction. Inside your ankle, there are tough bands of tissue called ligaments that hold the bones together. When you turned your ankle too far, 1 or more of these ligaments stretched or tore. This made your ankle swollen and sore. You might have pain when you try to walk or move your foot.
You might be waiting on some test results. The staff will contact you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Use "PRICE":
•Protect – To avoid making your injury worse, you can wrap it with an elastic bandage. Depending on how bad your sprain is, you might also get a brace or splint.
•Rest – To rest your ankle, you can use crutches and stay off your feet. Avoid activities that cause pain.
•Ice – Apply a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on your ankle every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Use the ice (or other cold object) for at least 6 hours after your injury. Some people find it helpful to ice longer, even up to 2 days.
•Compression – This basically means pressure. You want to keep your ankle under slight pressure by having it wrapped in an elastic "compression" bandage. This helps reduce swelling and supports your ankle. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to wrap it. It's important to not use too much pressure and cut off the blood flow to your foot.
•Elevation – This means keeping your foot raised up above the level of your heart. To do this, you can put your foot on pillows or blankets while you are lying down, or on a table or chair while you are sitting.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain if needed, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●Gently stretch your ankle after a few days, when you have less swelling and pain.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●The pain or swelling is getting worse.
●Your toes are blue or gray, and numb.
●Your ankle feels more unstable or wobbly.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Ankle sprain (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use crutches (The Basics)
