• Ankle pain when foot is rotated outward.
• Ankle pain when calf is squeezed.
• Difficult ambulation.
• Bruising at injury site.

• P: Protection from further injury with an ankle brace.
• R: Rest means keeping off the injured ankle as much as possible. Crutches enable the patient to move about when necessary without placing weight on the injury. An air cast or splint may be applied to the ankle for support and severe sprains occasionally require a hard cast.
• I: Icing, cold therapy to stimulate blood flow and relieve the ankle pain associated with inflammation. Cold therapy should be applied several times over the course of the day.
• C: Compression means supporting the ankle and foot with a firmly (not tightly) wrapped elastic bandage, compression stocking, or gel wrap. If swelling causes the bandage to become tight, it should be loosened immediately.
• E: Elevating the foot above heart level minimizes bruising and swelling. This should be done as often as possible during the first 48 hours.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, Naprosyn and Celebrex may be used to decrease ankle pain. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting these medications.

• Severe high ankle sprains with substantial displacement of the bones may require surgical stabilization. Surgery consists of screw fixation of the tibia and fibula.