What’s the Best Spray Treatment for Faster Ankle Sprain Recovery?

Treating a Sprained Ankle

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries. They occur when the ligaments that stabilize the ankle joint are stretched beyond their limits or torn. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of motion.

Causes of Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains often happen due to:

• Rolling the foot inward or outward
• Landing awkwardly from a jump
• Stepping on an uneven surface
• Sudden shift in movement while running or walking

Sports like basketball, tennis, soccer, and hiking on rocky terrain can increase risk.

Grades of Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are graded 1-3 depending on severity:

• Grade 1 - Mild stretching and microscopic tears of the ligament
• Grade 2 - Partial ligament tear with mild instability
• Grade 3 - Complete ligament tear with gross instability

Using Sprays to Treat Ankle Sprains

Specialized sprays provide an easy way to deliver key ingredients to reduce swelling and facilitate healing after an ankle sprain. They offer targeted application without needing to take oral medication.

Cooling Pain Relief Sprays

For acute ankle sprain management, cooling sprays help:

• Ease throbbing pain
• Reduce inflammation
• Soothe muscle spasms

Look for sprays containing menthol or camphor. The cooling sensation helps override pain signals while temporarily numbing sore areas.

Anti-Inflammatory Sprays

Sprains trigger the bodys inflammatory response as it starts the healing process. While some inflammation is beneficial, too much can prolong recovery. Anti-inflammatory sprays help control excessive swelling.

Key ingredients to look for include:

• Arnica - Reduces bruising
• Glucosamine - Stimulates cartilage repair
• Chondroitin - Promotes elasticity/hydration of connective tissues
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) - Relieves joint inflammation
• Botanical extracts like turmeric, boswellia, celery seed

Pain Relief Sprays

Sprays with analgesic compounds can relieve ankle sprain pain with or without a cooling effect. Natural pain-relieving ingredients include:

• Capsaicin - Reduces substance P, a nerve signaling chemical involved in pain perception
• Topical NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like diclofenac, ibuprofen
• Salicylates from white willow bark, meadowsweet, and wintergreen plants
• Lidocaine - Numbs pain locally

Using Ankle Sprain Sprays Safely

Read All Instructions

Before using any spray, read medication labels thoroughly. Note any directions, dosage guidelines, cautions for use, expiration date, and storage instructions.

Check Ingredient Interactions

Be aware of potential ingredient interactions if combining sprays or taking other oral pain/anti-inflammatory medications. Talk to your pharmacist about any concerns.

Spot Test on Your Skin First

Apply a small amount of spray to a patch of skin and wait 10-15 minutes to check for any redness, itching, or other irritation before wide-scale use. Discontinue use if sensitivities occur.

Avoid Contact with Eyes, Nostrils, and Mouth

Be very careful to only apply sprays externally to the injured ankle area. Prevent contact with eyes or sensitive mucus membranes of nostrils and lips.

Store Properly After Use

Keep spray containers tightly sealed and stored at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and direct light in between uses.

Using Braces Along with Sprays

Combining sprays with protective ankle braces or wraps during recovery from a sprain has added benefits:

• Compresses support injured ligaments
• Helps control swelling
• Immobilizes and protects joint
• Allows spray application against skin

The compression also aids delivery of the active medication deeper into sore tissues.

Types of Ankle Braces

Many styles of ankle braces are available:

• Elastic wraps - Wrap around ankle and foot
• Compression sleeves - Slip over foot and ankle like a sock
• Hinged braces - Restrict inversion/eversion motion with semi-rigid supports
• Rigid braces - Prevent all ankle movement with plastic or metal lateral supports
• Air cast braces - Inflatable wrap-around design adjusts compression

The type used depends on the sprain severity. A sports medicine doctor can recommend the most suitable brace option.

Tips for Brace Use

Proper brace use ensures ankles heal quickly and completely after sprain injuries:

• Wear daily during all weight-bearing activities
• Adjust so its snug but doesnt cut off circulation
• Check skin daily for irritation
• Remove at bedtime and during bathing/showers
• Transition slowly back to unbraced activity over a month as pain allows

Lifestyle Measures That Speed Ankle Sprain Recovery

Beyond sprays and braces, additional tactics help you bounce back from an ankle sprain as fast as possible:

Rest and Elevation

Stay completely off your feet for 48 hours after an acute sprain, keeping the ankle elevated on pillows to reduce swelling.

Ice Therapy

Applying ice for 10-15 minutes every few hours works wonders to control pain and inflammation. Allow skin to warm fully between icing sessions.

Compression Bandage

Wrapping the ankle snugly between ice treatments keeps swelling tamped down and stabilizes the injury.

Early Gentle Motion

Start gently flexing and pointing the foot, along with drawing alphabet letters with your toes, as soon as pain allows to prevent stiffness during healing.

Simple Exercise

Follow your doctors instructions for therapeutic exercise to rebuild ankle strength and balance without overstressing healing ligaments.

Seeking Medical Care for Ankle Sprains

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience:

• Moderate to severe ankle pain
• Considerable swelling/bruising
• Inability to bear weight on the ankle
• Joint instability or popping/grinding sensations

Severe (grade 3) sprains may require casting or surgery to reattach torn ligaments for the best recovery.

Rehabilitating Sprained Ankles

Follow up an ankle sprain with rehabilitation therapy for:

• Full restoration of flexibility, motion, and strength
• Improved balance and proprioception
• Bracing and taping techniques
• Custom orthotics to improve gait
• Gradual return to full activity level

This prevents chronic issues like instability, arthritis, and easy re-injury.

Getting Back on Your Feet

While frustrating to deal with, most simple ankle sprains heal fully with proper self-care and rehabilitation. Using beneficial sprays reduces discomfort and quickens your timeline for getting mobile again.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.