Longwood Pediatrics encourages our patient families to take an active part in their health through education and consultation. We provide the below information for your reference but it is not meant to replace a visit with your medical provider. Please contact us if you feel your child needs to be seen in the office.

Please always dial 911 in the case of a medical emergency.

Ankle Sprain

 
Ankle sprains are a very common injury for children, especially when playing basketball, volleyball, or other sports involving lots of running and jumping. Most ankle sprains occur when the foot rolls inward (”inversion”) and causes stretching or tearing of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. After a sprain, the ankle will be swollen and sore and may turn black and blue. Most sprained ankles can be treated at home using the following guidelines.

Immediate Treatment After an Ankle Sprain

(”RICE”) first 2 to 3 days after the injury

REST stay off the injured ankle as much as possible; refrain from any activity that causes pain; use crutches or a cane if necessary.

ICE apply ice to the ankle 3 or 4 times a day for 20 minutes each time for the first 2 to 3 days after the injury.

COMPRESSION wrap the injured ankle with an ace bandage to help control swelling; loosen the wrap if the toes turn blue or feel cold.

ELEVATION keep the ankle elevated above heart level as much as possible.

Restore Normal Mobility to Ankle first 1 to 2 weeks after the injury

ALPHABET EXERCISES sit with leg stretched out on couch or bed; trace the letters of the alphabet “A” through “Z” with the big toe of the injured foot by moving the ankle slowly; repeat as often as possible, at least 3 times a day

ANKLE FLEXION/EXTENSION sit with foot stretched out on couch or bed; pull toes slowly towards body; hold for 5 seconds; point toes down away from body; hold for 5 seconds; repeat 10 times at least 3 times a day.

Strengthen Ankle Ligaments and Muscles start when ankle pain is resolved, usually about 2 weeks after injury

BALANCING EXERCISES stand with arms stretched out and balance on the injured foot for as long as you can up to 60 seconds; repeat six times per day; when you can balance easily for 60 seconds, try the same thing with both arms crossed across chest. For the following exercises, you will need to buy a length of elastic tubing in a pharmacy or medical supply store

ANKLE FLEXION sit in a chair, wrap the elastic tubing underneath the front of your foot and hold the ends in your hands; place your heel on the floor with toes up in the air; stretch the tubing by pressing down with your toes (like stepping on a gas pedal); repeat slowly for 10 repetitions

ANKLE ABDUCTION sit in a chair near a sturdy table; wrap the elastic tubing around the outside front of your foot and around a leg of the table and tie it off; place your heel on the floor and stretch the tubing by moving your toes away from the table leg towards the outside of your leg; repeat slowly for 10 repetitions

ANKLE ADDUCTION sit in a chair near a sturdy table; wrap the elastic tubing around the inside front of your foot and around a leg of the table and tie it off; place your heel on the floor and stretch the tubing by moving your toes away from the table leg towards the inside of your leg; repeat slowly for 10 repetitions

When To See the Doctor About a Sprained Ankle

Make an appointment to see the doctor for any of the following:

any ankle injury in a child who hasn’t gone through puberty yet;

an ankle injury after which the child cannot walk on the ankle at all;

an ankle injury caused by severe force (for example, a car accident).