How To Effectively Treat Ankle Pain

Try Pain Medication Where Needed

If individuals are recovering from an injury to their ankles, they may want to try pain medication where needed. Chronic ankle issues can also be helped by over-the-counter pain relievers. With that said, patients want to be careful what medications they take on a long-term basis, since prolonged use of certain ones can lead to kidney or cardiovascular damage. Ibuprofen can relieve fever, arthritis, and ankle cramps. It's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that thins the blood and blocks prostaglandins, which are substances that cause inflammation and swelling. Many individuals use it as a non-addictive alternative to heavier opioid medications. Naproxen sodium also blocks prostaglandin production, but it can cause kidney damage if used for prolonged periods. Acetaminophen is a fever-reducing medication that's also believed to reduce prostaglandin production, though the mechanism behind this hasn't been proven. These over-the-counter medications are typically enough to handle average soreness or pain from an ankle sprain. If an individual is experiencing more severe ankle pain, they can talk to a doctor about the potential for a prescription painkiller.