Health
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in children. Ankles are made up of three bones with ligaments (tough, stretchy tissue that holds the bones together). The ligaments help stop the ankle joint from moving around too much.
Ankle sprains usually happen when there is a sudden movement or twist, often when the foot rolls over, and the ligaments are overstretched. This causes tears and bleeding (which show as bruising and swelling) around the ankle joint. These movements are more likely to happen when a person is running, jumping or quickly changing direction, e.g. in sports such as basketball, netball or football.
If your child has sprained their ankle, they may have:
- swelling, which develops in minutes or over several hours – this is caused by soft tissue damage
- pain around the outside part of the ankle joint
- bruising, which shows up within two to three days.
If your child has sprained their ankle, you can care for them at home using first aid principles, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE strategy) and ankle exercises.
Treatment should start immediately and continue for the next two to three days.
Rest: Rest the injured area and avoid activities that cause a lot of pain. If your child is having difficulty walking, crutches should be used. You can hire crutches from your local pharmacy.
Ice: Apply ice to the injured area for 10–15 minutes. Never place the ice directly on the skin because it can burn the skin – wrap the ice or ice pack in a tea towel or a pillow case. Ice the injury every two to four hours for two to three days, when your child is awake. You can make an ice pack using a plastic bag with some ice and water in it. This moulds better to the ankle joint area than ice alone.
Compression: Use a firm bandage that is not too tight and does not stop circulation or cause extra pain. The bandage should cover from just above the ankle right down to the foot. Do not cover the toes.
- Elevation: Raise the ankle whenever possible to help reduce the swelling. For example, raise your child's injured leg and rest it on some pillows while they are watching TV, reading or resting.
Encourage your child to gently exercise and stretch the ankle joint. This should begin almost immediately after their injury to minimise stiffness
Some children will need medicine to help with the pain. In most cases, paracetamol is enough. Anti-inflammatory medications may help, but these are not suitable for every child. Ask your GP or local pharmacist for further advice. Always read and follow the instructions on the package for the appropriate dose of medication for your child. See our fact sheet Pain relief for children.
In the first two to three days after your child’s injury, avoid:
- heat (e.g. heat packs or hot baths) – this increases blood flow and makes the swelling worse
- re-injury – protect the ankle joint from re-injury by keeping weight off it and moving carefully
- massage – this promotes blood flow and makes the swelling worse.
Judy Buckley
College Nurse