A soft tissue injury such as a sprained ankle would therefore be treated using the RICE method following a medical evaluation and diagnosis.
Rest means sitting or lying down and not walking around, even with crutches, except as absolutely necessary, such as trips to and from the bathroom.
While sitting or lying down, the affected limb should be Elevated so that the injury is just above the level of the heart. This will allow swelling to go down and help prevent further swelling.
The affected area should be wrapped using an elastic or Ace bandage to provide Compression. This will help to reduce and prevent further swelling. It should be applied securely, but not so tight as to restrict blood flow. If the toes become cold or bluish in appearance, the wrap should be adjusted. This wrap can be removed for bathing and should be reapplied at least daily. Be sure to follow directions for applying the wrap to promote proper circulation and healing.
Ice is used to help reduce the swelling and slow or stop any bleeding into the tissues. It is the best emergency measure immediately following any injury. Ice should be applied using a bag of ice, a cold therapy product made for treating injuries, or even a bag of frozen peas which will conform to the body part easily. (Note that the bag of frozen peas can be re-frozen and used again later for icing the injury, but should be carefully labeled that it should no longer be used for consumption.)
The ice bag should be wrapped in a thin towel and applied to the injury for ten to fifteen minutes. Initially, the cold therapy may seem to worsen the pain, but this will subside and should be worked through.
Allow the skin temperature to return to normal before reapplying the ice. This may take twenty to thirty minutes. Icing the injury several times a day for two to three days will help to reduce the swelling and promote faster healing.
The ice should not be applied continuously unless directed by the physician. Continuous icing is usually done with special equipment designed for this purpose. A frostbite injury can occur.
The health care practitioner may also prescribe pain medication which should be taken as directed. This may be either an over the counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or a prescription medication. These medications may cause drowsiness and may affect balance and coordination.
Follow all after care instructions carefully. If the injury does not improve in 48 hours, the health care practitioner should be notified. Any increased swelling, pain, or redness should be reported immediately. If toes or fingers of the injured limb become numb, blue or very cold, and do not respond to a change in position or loosening of the compression wrap, this too should be reported immediately.
Heat is reserved for pain from a chronic injury or an injury that does not produce swelling. If there is swelling, ice should be used.
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