Do i begin rehab for a sprained ankle only if it is no longer swollen?!
Question: i sprained my ankle last week, and i iced, elevated, and wrapped it, but because of some bball games, i didn't really rest it that much and its still a LITTLE bit swollen but there is still no pain when i jump or move or run. Should i begin the rehab now, or due to a bad recovery week, should i rest for a week then do the exercises for rehab?
Answers: i sprained my ankle last week, and i iced, elevated, and wrapped it, but because of some bball games, i didn't really rest it that much and its still a LITTLE bit swollen but there is still no pain when i jump or move or run. Should i begin the rehab now, or due to a bad recovery week, should i rest for a week then do the exercises for rehab?
Congratulations. You did everything right, so far. (Except for the bball.) Most patients try to rush things along, and so end up aggravating the initial injury.
Now, if there is no pain with activities, then you can begin the rehab exercises. The general rule to follow is: if the pain returns and gets steadily worse, stop. If there is no pain, or if there is some pain, BUT IT DOES NOT GET ANY WORSE WITH EXERCISE, then you may continue. That's what we mean when we tell our patients to "listen to your body."
rest 4 2 days