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About ten percent of emergency department visits are the result of ankle injury. Most of these injuries are simple ankle sprains. These injuries are most commonly treated with RICE therapy. Patients are instructed to rest and ice the joint for 20 minutes sessions. Then, the injury is wrapped in compression bandages and elevated. The Jones compression uses alternate layers of elastic bandages and compression bandages. Finally, patients are instructed to elevate the ankle. To reduce pain, ibuprofen is usually provided. Patients who are ibuprofen-intolerant are given acetaminophen instead. This is the common procedure for ankle injuries.

RICE therapy is a short term solution; it does not provide long term care. It simply serves as damage control for the initial injury. Future injury prevention is crucial. Approximately 25% to 40% of ankle sprains are recurrent injuries. When the initial injury receives improper treatment, future ankle damage is likely to lead to either temporary or permanent disability. Osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, is one possible solution to this problem.

This treatment gives each patient the individual care that they require. Treatment varies patient to patient and ankle to ankle. The osteopath is responsible for deciding what treatment each injury calls for. Soft tissue treatments are often prescribed. Ankle injuries can be treated with a variety of soft tissue techniques. The average treatment session usually lasts 10-20 minutes. Studies have proven that OMT sessions lower the pain level and provide patients with an increased range of motion.

There are a number of soft tissue treatments. Osteopaths analyze the relationship of the bones from the toe to the ankle. They then decide which region requires the most work and attention. This system gives each patient a unique treatment. Instead of generic care, the patient receives care that will be most beneficial to their individual situation. Soft tissue is only one of several approaches to this therapy. Clinicians can also use muscle energy and strain/counter strain treatments. Pain reduction can be achieved by a process called lymphatic drainage. When fluid forms around the joints, the pain level increases and mobility greatly decreases.

Ankle sprains are injuries that require full attention. Physicians try to bring the ankle back to its previous working order. They also work to improve the range of motion and decrease the amount of fluid that has accumulates around the joints. Short OMT sessions work to prevent swelling and reduce the level of pain the patient experiences. Just one osteopathic manipulative treatment can drastically shorten ankle injury recovery time.

Clearly, ankle injury is a serious problem. Untreated injuries can lead to improper healing and permanent disability. Fortunately, treatment can be easily received. RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) therapy and osteopath sessions will reduce pain and make for a speedy recovery. Proper care can also prevent future ankle damage.