What is the best initial treatment plan for a mild ankle sprain?

The best initial treatment plan for a mild ankle sprain is rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). This approach is widely recommended for acute injuries, particularly those involving soft tissues like ligaments.

Rest allows the injury to begin healing without further aggravation. Ice helps to reduce swelling and numb pain, providing comfort during the early stages of recovery. Compression can also minimize swelling and support the injured area, while elevation helps to reduce blood flow to the injury site, further controlling swelling. These steps can be implemented immediately following the injury to facilitate a quicker recovery and prevent further complication.

While heat and massage might seem beneficial for reducing muscle tension, they can actually worsen swelling and are not advised in the acute phase of an injury. Immediate surgery is typically reserved for severe sprains or tears involving significant injury, which does not apply to mild sprains. Physical therapy, while important in rehabilitation following an injury, is not suitable for the immediate treatment of a mild sprain as it is not needed right away and usually follows the initial RICE treatment once the acute phase has resolved.