How Many Times Should I Apply Cold Compress to a Sprained Ankle?

Treating a Sprained Foot

Within 24 hours of a foot sprain, it is recommended to apply cold compresses to the injured area. The purpose of cold compresses is to reduce swelling and pain. The frequency of cold compresses should be determined based on the severity of the sprain. For minor sprains, the number of cold compresses can be appropriately reduced. However, for severe sprains, it is important to pay attention to the treatment method and assess whether to continue with cold compresses based on whether there is swelling in the foot.

How many times should cold compresses be applied after a foot sprain? Here are some guidelines:

1. Frequency of Cold Compresses

After a foot sprain, all activities should be stopped, and cold compresses should be applied immediately to the injured area. Cold compresses can reduce local soft tissue inflammation and swelling in the ankle. Generally, it is recommended to apply cold compresses for about 20 minutes at a time, repeating every 2 hours. Avoid applying ice for too long or placing it directly on the skin to prevent local frostbite. Cold compresses should be applied within 24 hours of the injury.

After 24 hours, the injured soft tissue gradually begins to reduce swelling and recover. At this point, warm compresses can be used to accelerate local blood circulation, reduce swelling, and promote the absorption of inflammation.

For severe sprains, the duration of cold compresses may be extended to 48 hours.

2. Method of Cold Compresses

Ice packs should be applied for 2-3 days after the sprain. Each application should last approximately 15-20 minutes, with a 1-2 hour interval between applications. Once the pain has subsided, ice packs can be applied every 2-3 hours. If the injury is minor, the frequency and duration of ice packs can be reduced further, even to three times a day.

The ideal material for ice packs is a mixture of ice and water, as this maintains a temperature of 0°C. Using solid ice may result in a temperature lower than 0°C, which can cause frostbite to the soft tissue.

3. Precautions

If a dedicated ice pack is not available, a bottle of chilled water can be poured into a plastic bag and used as an ice pack. Alternatively, the water can be poured directly onto a towel or handkerchief and applied when cool. Once the acute phase has passed and there are no concerns, warm compresses can be applied to promote blood circulation and reduce inflammation.

For warm compresses, it is important to control the temperature and duration. The temperature should not exceed 50-60°C, and the duration should not exceed one hour to ensure effective and safe recovery.