Ankle sprain one week ago with no treatment

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hello, I twisted my ankle, havent seen the doctor, and is been a week but it still hurts, what do I do???

Dear Bobbie: From all the ankle injuries, the sprains are the most common. Ankle sprains are classified in 3 grades as follows: Grade I: mild degree of swelling and stretch has occurred to the ligaments. Weight bearing is possible. Grade II: moderate swelling and an incomplete tearing of ligaments, also mild instability may be present and also pain with weight bearing. Grade III: severe swelling and pain, complete rupture of at least 1 ligament, there is remarkable instability. You should have applied ice and lift the affected leg during the first 24 hours, to control pain and swelling. If you would have gone to the doctor, Physical therapy would have been recommended according to the sprain severity (if grade II or III). For grade I, the strategy is: immediate, protected ambulation, and exercises to get back the normal range of motion and strengthening of the ankle muscles and ligaments, lifts the leg to minimize swelling and pain and begin to walk as soon as you can tolerate it. The healing time depends on the severity of the initial injury and the treatment received by then, and it is particular for each patient, but generally the severe sprains are immobilized, they need physical therapy and take between 4 to 6 weeks to heal.These are some measures that you can try in the meantime: Ice the area twice a day for 20 minutes to help to decrease inflammation and relieve pain. Freezing water in a paper cup and tearing away the top rim as the ice melts is an easy way to use ice. Do not put ice directly on the skin. Wrap it in a towel. Rest the sore area to prevent further injury and decrease pain. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil, Motrin, or Aleve may help decrease the pain and help the healing. If with these measures the pain, swelling and limitation do not improve I strongly recommend that you get an assessment by an orthopedic Doctor.