Why does compression help sprains

Applying a compression wrap is easy and can be done at home. Elastic bandages are inexpensive and available at most drugstores. You can wear a protective brace, such as a splint or a device to keep your ankle from moving immobilizer , over a compression wrap. This can help prevent further injury to your ankle when you try to bear weight on it. How to apply a compression wrap To help control swelling, some doctors recommend wrapping your ankle with an elastic bandage , also called an ACE wrap.

To apply a compression wrap: Cut several horseshoe-shaped pieces of cloth felt to form a 0. The pad will be placed open end up under the anklebone to help keep fluid out of the hollow place under your anklebone. Roll up the elastic bandage if it isn't already. Hold your ankle at about a degree angle. Start where your toes meet the body of your foot. Hold the loose end of the bandage at the side of your foot. Wrap the bandage around the ball of your foot once, keeping it somewhat taut with a light pull.

After this first wrap, slowly start circling your way around the arch of the foot. Pull the bandage diagonally from the bottom of the toes across the foot's top and circle it around the ankle.

Now bring the bandage diagonally across the top of the foot and under the arch in a figure-eight pattern. When you get to the anklebone, wrap the bandage around the felt piece so it stays in place under the anklebone.

Continue around the ankle and foot in a figure eight, moving toward the heel on the bottom and toward the calf at the top of the eight. Topic Overview As soon as possible after an injury, such as a knee or ankle sprain, you can relieve pain and swelling and promote healing and flexibility with RICE—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Rest and protect the injured or sore area.

Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness. Cold will reduce pain and swelling. Apply an ice or cold pack right away to prevent or minimize swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day. After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply heat to the area that hurts. Do not apply ice or heat directly to the skin. Place a towel over the cold or heat pack before applying it to the skin. Compression, or wrapping the injured or sore area with an elastic bandage such as an Ace wrap , will help decrease swelling.

Don't wrap it too tightly, because this can cause more swelling below the affected area. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, or swelling in the area below the bandage.

This can help prevent further injury to your ankle when you try to bear weight on it. How to apply a compression wrap To help control swelling, some doctors recommend wrapping your ankle with an elastic bandage , also called a tensor wrap.

To apply a compression wrap: Cut several horseshoe-shaped pieces of cloth felt to form a 1. The pad will be placed open end up under the ankle bone to help keep fluid out of the hollow place under your ankle bone. Roll up the elastic bandage if it isn't already. Hold your ankle at about a degree angle. Start where your toes meet the body of your foot. Hold the loose end of the bandage at the side of your foot. Wrap the bandage around the ball of your foot once, keeping it somewhat taut with a light pull.

After this first wrap, slowly start circling your way around the arch of the foot. Pull the bandage diagonally from the bottom of the toes across the foot's top and circle it around the ankle. Now bring the bandage diagonally across the top of the foot and under the arch in a figure-eight pattern. When you get to the ankle bone, wrap the bandage around the felt piece so it stays in place under the ankle bone.

Continue around the ankle and foot in a figure eight, moving toward the heel on the bottom and toward the calf at the top of the eight. The wrap should cover the entire foot and end about 7 centimetres above the ankle. Most compression wraps are self-fastening or come with clip fasteners.

If not, use tape to secure the end.