A twisted ankle can be nearly as painful as a break. A twisted ankle can occur from a fall or something as minor as just stepping wrong. A twisted ankle can cause swelling, pain, redness, and make walking difficult. If you have a twisted ankle, the best thing you can do is to make an appointment with the podiatrist to have this condition properly diagnosed and treated as required. There are things you can do at home to help treat this condition and alleviate pain. Read on for helpful information to use if you have suffered from a twisted ankle.

Wrap Your Ankle 

To help offer extra support for your ankle and to prevent further injury to yourself, you should wrap your ankle using a wrap. Wrap the ankle tightly so you don't have a lot of movement in the ankle and can walk without being in too much pain. You should wrap it beneath your foot and around the ankle, then up toward the bottom of the calf. Wrap and re-wrap as needed to offer support.

Wear Supportive Shoes

If you can wear a shoe, be sure the shoes are supportive and are not causing extra stress on your foot or ankle. Do not wear high heels until your ankle has time to heal and wear flats or gym shoes that support the entire foot. Make sure the shoes fit your feet well enough that you do not have to worry about trying to keep the shoes on your feet or that there isn't too much movement in the shoes so that you don't get re-injured.

Ice Your Ankle

Ice your ankle to keep swelling down on the ankle and to help alleviate any pain you may be feeling. Use an ice pack on the ankle and use a washcloth to help protect the skin from damage from the ice being placed directly on the skin. Ice the ankle when you are at rest, or after you have been on your feet all day.

Take An Over-The-Counter Pain Reliever

To help with the pain you may feel from this injury, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use the pain reliever and for the proper dosage. Take the pain reliever during the day, or at night to help offer you some relief and to allow you to rest.

If you have twisted your ankle, you need to go to the podiatrist for the right diagnosis and for the proper treatment so your ankle can heal.

Contact a local podiatrist to learn more.