Almost every person has stumbled at some point, sprained their ankle, or hit their foot hard. Injuries received through negligence do not cause a dramatic clinical picture, therefore, with minor injuries of the ankle joint, medical attention is extremely rarely sought. It is permissible to treat them yourself. Ointments and special compresses will help you quickly cure ankle sprains at home.
Most often, topical anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat soft tissue injuries of the ankle. If you use this type of treatment for a fracture or rupture of a ligament, rehabilitation will last tens of times longer.
That is why understanding the pathogenesis of injury and adequate timely diagnosis is the key to a quick recovery.
Operating principle
Why is vodka chosen for compresses and lotions? “A vodka compress or rubbing causes vasodilation to begin in the area where it is used, and blood flow increases. With the help of such compresses you can relieve pain and inflammation,” says Elena Dronova, acting. O. Head of the Physiotherapeutic Department of Clinical Diagnostic, Physiotherapist of the highest qualification category of Clinical Diagnostic (branch of GlavUpDK under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia) .
Question answer
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Dry compresses
Dry salt compress on the leg
Treatment of ankle joints with salt is effective for chronic inflammatory diseases of nonspecific etiology. Typically, such conditions occur after an untreated injury, bruise, or surgery to remove a tumor (hygroma).
To make a dry compress, you need to heat the salt and pour it into a bag or a towel gathered into a knot. Apply the salt to the painful area until it cools.
It is immediately worth noting that the use of compresses exclusively for the treatment of ankle sprains is absolutely ineffective. A comprehensive approach is required for adequate treatment.
When is it prescribed?
The range of applications of vodka solutions and compresses for external use is quite wide. So, it is often recommended to use it for:
- sore throat and sore throat, as well as cough;
- colds and hypothermia, if there is no temperature;
- otitis (with the exception of the purulent form);
- joint pain;
- bruises and sprains;
- for resorption of cones after injections;
- submandibular lymphadenitis;
- radiculitis and back pain.
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Compresses for tendon sprains
Application of an antibacterial agent
Compresses for ankle sprains help restore the integrity of collagen fibers. Some of them have a reflex effect, some are exclusively anti-inflammatory.
Of course, preference is given to complex fees, but you should be very careful here.
Important! Compresses aimed at warming and improving blood circulation at the site of injury are strictly contraindicated during the first 3 days after injury.
In the first days, rest and anti-inflammatory compresses are necessary.
Compresses in the first three days after injury:
- Apply an aqueous 75% solution of Diclofenac to the skin at the site of injury. Cover the skin with gauze and polyethylene. Leave for 2 hours.
- Wet gauze in an aqueous solution of Analgin, Dimexide and Prednisolone and apply it to the injury site until it dries.
If there is damage to the skin, it is necessary to apply a local antiseptic and antimicrobial drug.
The drug Iodinol is very popular. This drug not only has an antimicrobial effect, but also turns into foam upon contact with blood, pushing contamination out of the wound.
Rules for performing a compress
For an alcohol-based compress to be beneficial, it must be done according to certain rules.
At home, it is better to use a 40-degree product.
The structure of the workpiece is as follows:
One layer, which will be the bottom, must be made of cotton fabric or linen: it must be moistened with vodka and squeezed thoroughly.
The second layer, which will be the middle one, consists of polyethylene or special paper for compresses, which is called waxed.
The top layer consists of warm wool fabric.
The middle layer should be a couple of centimeters wider than the bottom one so that the latter does not cool down quickly. And the top one, in turn, should also be a couple of centimeters wider than the middle one. “If the patient feels chills when applying a compress, it means that the lower layer is not sufficiently covered by the upper ones,” says Elena Dronova. Also, the physiotherapist notes, if such therapy is used on a person with sensitive skin, the area where the compress is applied must first be lubricated with oil or baby cream. “Children have their own rules - vodka should be diluted by half with water to reduce the strength,” advises the doctor. The compress should be secured on top with bandages, but not squeezed, so as not to disrupt blood circulation.
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Signs of an ankle sprain
Swelling of the leg in the area of sprain
In the diagnosis of ankle injury, the main role is played by an objective examination and instrumental research methods. An objective examination is carried out by a traumatologist or surgeon, who, if necessary, prescribes instrumental studies.
Data from an objective examination of the patient:
- The leg is painful only with movement, load or pressure.
- The skin at the site of injury is hot.
- Redness is noted.
- The ankle joint is swollen (the swelling is “hard”; no dimples remain on palpation).
- Dysfunction of the ankle joint in one of the planes (horizontal or vertical).
If three out of five signs are present, you can safely make a preliminary diagnosis and prescribe additional examination:
- X-ray.
- CT or MRI.
- Ultrasound if you need to assess the quality of blood circulation in the vessels of the foot and leg.
- Consultation with a neurologist to identify possible traumatic damage to nerve fibers.
Nuances of the compress
It is also important to place the compress correctly for it to work. If the compress is used to treat a sore throat, it should not be used on the thyroid gland area. And after removing the compress, you should stay warm for half a day.
“For a cold, a compress is made if the temperature does not exceed the norm, that is, does not rise above 36.9, then it can be used on the back or chest,” notes Elena Dronova.
For ear pain, a compress is a square of fabric with a slit for the ear. It is soaked in vodka and put on so that the shell looks out through the slot, with wax paper and a cotton pad on top. “It is strictly forbidden to use such a design if there is a suspicion of purulent inflammation inside the ear, since overheating can lead to a rupture of the membrane,” notes Elena Dronova. To minimize risks, since the skin in the ear area is thin and delicate, it is recommended to dilute vodka with water in a ratio of 1:5.
For bruises and sprains, the doctor notes, the compress should be used no earlier than a day later, and on the first day only cold should be used.
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Ligament structure
Degrees of ankle sprain
From a histological point of view, the tendon is a bundle of collagen fibers that are located close to each other. Between them, single fibroblasts, a small number of fibrocytes and an amorphous substance are visible.
A ligament or tendon has a clear structure, consisting of bundles of different orders:
- The first is only collagen fiber.
- The second is several bundles of collagen fibers surrounded by a thin layer of endothelium (loose connective tissue).
- The third is several bundles of the second order, surrounded by thick endothelium.
When a ligament is sprained, a third-order histological structure is injured. The integrity of the cells themselves is minimally disrupted. That is, the fibers of the first and partial second order are preserved, which makes it possible to restore the integrity of the fibers of the third.
The basis of treatment for ankle sprains is rest for the injured leg for complete rehabilitation and restoration of foot function.
Rubbing rules
It would seem that such a simple procedure as rubbing with vodka is quite simple and understandable. In fact, it must also be carried out taking into account a number of rules and nuances. For example, the procedure should be accompanied by plenty of fluids to eliminate the risk of dehydration.
“Most often, rubbing with vodka is used at elevated body temperatures, when medications take a long time to act, and the person is literally burning. At the same time, you also need to do everything correctly,” the doctor notes.
For rubbing, you do not need to take pure vodka - it should be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio. Next, the cotton cloth is dipped in the prepared solution and the body is gently wiped. Treatment of the cardiac and groin areas should be avoided. “Start at the top and gradually move down,” the doctor advises.
Vodka rubs are also used for coughs to improve dry coughs and speed up the removal of phlegm. To do this, vodka is again diluted with water and rubbed on the upper and lower back. The main thing, again, is that there is no suspicion of inflammatory processes in the lungs or purulent processes.
“When you have a cold, you also rub your body with vodka, paying special attention to your feet. To consolidate the effect, you need to wear socks,” says the doctor.
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Using cold compresses
The use of cold is recommended for fresh injuries due to any cause. This reduces blood flow to the injured area, helping to reduce swelling and tissue damage that accompany inflammation.
Cold causes numbness, so use ice without medication to reduce pain while helping the affected area begin the healing process. Another added benefit of using ice is that it helps reduce muscle spasms. Ice packs are the most common way to apply cold, even a bag of frozen peas is enough to do the trick. Knowing when to use cold therapy is important for quick recovery from a recent injury or sudden onset of pain.
3 ways to supply cold:
Ice is good for many types of injuries. Here are 3 ways to apply ice:
Ice bag - small pieces of ice in a plastic bag. Hold for 10-20 minutes.
Reusable ice packs – often contain gel or chemicals. Always use a thin cloth barrier and keep on for up to 30 minutes.
Ice Massage – Rub pieces of ice over the painful area in a circular motion. Stop if your body goes numb.
With onions
The chopped onion is wrapped in cheesecloth and steamed. Wrap a warm compress around the area of greatest pain. It can be applied 3 times a day. Also, chopped onions are mixed with granulated sugar and used in the same way.
Onion
Warm and cold compresses with onions can be used 3-4 days after injury. They can be applied daily for pain relief. After the procedure, it is recommended to make an iodine mesh and fix the damaged area.
From olive oil
Olive oil with chamomile for a compress
Olive oil contains vitamins A, K, C, E, fatty acids, tocopherol, sterols, and antioxidants. It can be used for rubbing and compresses. To prepare, you need to boil 250 g of oil, adding a spoonful of chamomile flowers. When the product has infused for 15 minutes, you can moisten the gauze in it.
Olive oil and beeswax are prepared in a water bath. The cooled mixture is applied to the sore spot. To speed up tissue healing, you can use an oil infusion of St. John's wort. Half a glass of flowers is poured with oil, the mixture is infused for 21 days in a dark room.
