Taking a shower with a sprained ankle is not a simple task at all. All links, videos and images are provided by 3rd parties. In: Instructions for Sports Medicine Patients. A very minor injury can be recovered in a week. Contrary to what many people believe, you dont actually have to shower every day. Add a small quantity of bleach into the water and mix thoroughly to make detergent. As soon as you can, rest your ankle and put an ice pack on it to decrease the swelling. Use an ankle support brace or tape on a weak or previously injured ankle. Seated on the floor, with an elasticized band or tubing tied around the injured foot and anchored around your uninjured foot, slowly turn the injured foot outward. Repeat 15-20 times. If you are unable to put weight on your foot after this type of injury, or if there is significant swelling, bruising, or deformity, you should seek medical treatment from a doctor (MD or DO). Rest. Depending on your sprained ankle situation, it is best to avoid showers for almost 2 days. The content is not intended to substitute swell and it might hurt too much to stand on it. Ice Therapy Machine. http://www.uptodate.com/home. guidelines: Rest your ankle by not walking on it. Tip #1: R.I.C.E. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. You can skip full showers, this will not only help you to keep injured feet out of the water, but also decrease sprained ankle pain. To conclude, it is crucial always to contact a doctor if your symptoms persist. On rare occasions, surgery may be needed to repair the damage, especially in competitive athletes. Ice it to keep down the swelling. If you don't complete rehabilitation, you could suffer chronic pain, looseness, and arthritis in your ankle. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) offers information on this site as an educational service. The truth is, you dont need to shower twice a day to practice good hygiene. Additionally, avoid running and jumping on the injured foot as this may increase the risk of further injury. Don't put ice directly on the skin (use a thin piece of cloth such as a pillowcase between the ice bag and the skin) and don't ice more than 20 minutes at a time to avoid frostbite. Rise up on your toes. Run the water to an ideal temperature. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Start to fasten the straps closest to your toes then move up your leg. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which He or she may want to see you immediately if your pain and swelling are severe, or if the ankle feels numb or won't bear weight. I am a very hairy guy and have personally tested every razor I can get my hands on. A shower stool or bench allows the person to sit while showering, which can help to reduce the weight on the injured foot and reduce the risk of falls. If you need medical advice, use the ", How to Strengthen Your Ankle After a Sprain. Loop the other end around your foot. Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Use crutches or apply a splint or brace to limit use of your injured ankle. How to Shower and Bathe Properly: Steps and What Not to Do - Healthline Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. https://clinicalkey.com. Question No 2: Can you walk on a sprained ankle? You can then press and release the air bulb until your ankle area feels secure. Phase 2 includes restoring your ankle's flexibility, range of motion, and strength. 5. Every ligament injury needs rehabilitation. The doctor may recommend treatments such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), as well as medications and physical therapy to help with pain and swelling. After making the mixture, smoothly scrub the boot or cast down with a clean towel or cloth. Do a quick clean of your tub. Massage your hair with conditioner, paying special attention to your ends. Depending on symptoms and pain, a shower can be a tough job. Try using a handheld showerhead when showering as this will allow you to control the water flow and direct it to specific areas, such as the lower body, while sitting on the shower stool or bench. Wear shoes that fit well and are made for your activity. Most often, water is frozen in a paper cup and then rubbed directly on the injured area for 5-10 minutes. Depending on how many ligaments are injured, your sprain will be classified as Grade 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), or 3 (severe). Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. https://clinicalkey.com. The content is not intended to substitute you with a short leg cast for 2-3 weeks or a walking boot. Instead, use crutches during the first few days of the injury. When & How to Shower with Bandages, Gauze, or Wraps - YouTube If you find out that taking a shower will be difficult, transform the environment to be sprained ankle-friendly. If you use a heating pad . Compression: If you have no boot or cast, apply an elastic or static compression bandage to limit swelling. Interactive Quiz: Whats Your Self-Care Style? Smith Edwards is a licensed plumber and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. Repeat up to 15 times, several times a day. It will keep you away from any sort of pain and difficulty while showering. Keep the ice on your ankle for 10-15 minutes at a time 2-3 times per day to help alleviate some of the pain. By following these simple tips, you can safely shower with a sprained ankle while maintaining your health and well-being. If you feel pain putting weight on the ankle, avoid walking on it. How much does it cost to build a nuclear shelter? How To Heal A Sprained Ankle Faster: Things To Do & Things To Avoid. He or she will examine the ankle and foot and may manipulate them in various ways to determine the type of sprain and the extent of injury. But if you have just returned from the clinic and wondering how to take a shower despite having a sprained ankle, then count yourself lucky. When done, you can dry your body with a towel and carefully cut off the plastic bag. Got gout or battling bursitis? Stand facing a wall with your hands on the wall for balance. This usually means adopting the classic RICE regimen rest, ice, compression, and elevation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Transformbathroom.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, a popular affiliate advertising program created to provide a way for publishers to earn advertising fees by promoting products or services and linking to Amazon.com. Curbing nearsightedness in children: Can outdoor time help? A severe sprain involves a complete tear of the ligament and damage to the surrounding tissues, and can cause severe pain and difficulty bearing weight on the injured foot. Non-slip mats or strips can be placed on the floor and inside the tub or shower to provide additional traction and prevent falls. Accessed May 25, 2017. Then you should consider the possible options discussed in this article. Lather up, focusing on your scalp as well as the nape of your neck. An ankle brace often helps control swelling and adds stability while If your ankle hurts or is tender to the touch directly over your ankle bone . Place the injured foot behind the other foot, toes facing forward. A seemingly simple daily routine like showering may become complicated and frustrating when dealing with a sprained ankle, especially with a large cast in tow. Moreover, an ankle sprain can happen to anyone while walking, running, or engaging in some physical activity. Limit weight bearing and use crutches if necessary. 1. All rights reserved. For maximum effectiveness, ankle braces should fit comfortably in the shoes .