Hi my daughter has a sprained ankle (lateral) she did it 5days age. it is still quite swollen but i am concerned it is very cold to touch. We iced for 72 hours and elevation and crutches. Is the cold normal or should i get it checked by a doctor?thanks
Hi, If the swelling is severe and especially if the area is tender when you put pressure on it, she should be checked and take an x-ray to rule out any small fracture zone.  Also, please remember that ankle strains should be treated very good, otherwise they will recur sometimes because if we allow the strained or ruptured ligaments to be healed by themselves, they will become loose and cannot protect the ankle completely in the future.  So, I recommend that you refer to a doctor, ask for an x-ray. Also, an anti-inflammatory medication can help to reduce the swelling (such as Ibuprofen, diclofenac).  Another thing that you can do is to gently massage the ankle in warm water with a small amount of salt in it (1-2 times a day).  Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Chat Doctor. 