From the Guidelines
For an 8-year-old with an ankle sprain, the most effective treatment approach is to start with the RICE protocol, which includes Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. This approach is crucial in reducing pain and swelling, and protecting the ankle ligaments from further injury. The RICE protocol should be followed for the first 48-72 hours, with ice applied for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours.
- Rest the ankle and avoid bearing weight on it for 24-48 hours
- Apply Ice for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 48-72 hours
- Use Compression with an elastic bandage wrapped snugly but not too tight
- Elevate the ankle above heart level when possible Children's acetaminophen (Tylenol) at 10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours or children's ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) at 5-10 mg/kg every 6-8 hours can help manage pain and reduce inflammation, as suggested by 1.
- For a typical 8-year-old weighing about 25-30 kg, this would be approximately 250-450 mg of acetaminophen or 125-300 mg of ibuprofen per dose A simple ankle brace or athletic tape may provide support during healing, and functional treatment in the form of exercise and functional support is preferred over immobilization, as stated in 1. Most childhood ankle sprains heal within 1-3 weeks, but if the child cannot put any weight on the foot, has significant swelling or bruising, or if pain persists beyond a week despite these measures, seek medical attention to rule out a fracture or more severe injury, such as growth plate injuries that can resemble sprains but require different management 1.
From the Research
Ankle Sprain Treatment for an 8-Year-Old
- The treatment for ankle sprains in children can be informed by clinical practice guidelines, which recommend various management strategies 2.
- For ankle sprains, the following treatments have enough evidence to be applied in clinical practice and are highly recommended:
- Ottawa rules
- Manual therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Functional supports
- Early ambulation
- Short-term NSAIDs
- Rehabilitation 2
- The effectiveness of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) therapy for ankle sprains has been studied, but there is insufficient evidence from randomized controlled trials to determine its relative effectiveness in adults 3.
- While the study on RICE therapy was conducted in adults, the general principles of treating ankle sprains, such as reducing pain and inflammation, promoting healing, and restoring function, can be applied to children as well 3.
- It is essential to note that treatment decisions should be made on an individual basis, taking into account the child's specific needs and circumstances, and should be based on expert opinions and clinical practice guidelines 2, 3.