How do teen athletes recover from ankle sprains?
Teen athletes are no strangers to ankle sprains – in fact, nearly half of all ankle sprains occur in children and teens.
Luckily, many mild sprains can be treated at home. If an athlete is diagnosed or showing symptoms of an ankle sprain, they should:
Rest: Immediately remove the athlete from an activity. Do not remove their shoe until ice can be applied – a tight shoe can limit initial swelling.
Ice: Apply crushed ice in a plastic bag directly over the skin for 20 minutes, every one to two hours.
Compress: Wrap the ankle with a first aid bandage, starting at the toes to the ankle.
Elevate: Keep the athlete’s ankle elevated above the level of their heart.
Medicate: Give the athlete teen acetaminophen as needed for the first two to three days to relieve pain.
Rehabilitate: Begin range-of-motion exercises the next day to prevent stiffness. Discomfort is normal. While your athlete is seated, have him imagine that his big toe is a pen, and have him trace all the capital letters in the alphabet as large as possible.
It’s important to keep these tips on hand when injuries happen, but if symptoms don’t improve, make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist.
To learn when athletes can return to play, or other ankle injuries, visit choa.org/ankle.
This content is general information and is not specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the health of a child. In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
