Last Updated on October 2, 2023 by Kyle
Table of Contents
Ice Packs
Ankle injuries such as sprains, strains, and fractures not only hurt, but can seriously impact your mobility. Using an ice pack for ankles helps reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and speed up the healing process. Ice packs for ankle sprain are also helpful after an injury or a surgery, helping get you back on your feet where you belong.
Why use an ice pack or heat pack?
Ankle & foot ice therapy can help prevent or relieve pain in ankles and feet. Helps with quicker recovery times from ankle and foot injuries. Helps with the treatment of plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, arthritis, swelling, etc. Heat packs increase blood flow to help decrease recovery time.
How an Ankle Can Get Sprained
Any movement that suddenly twists the foot beyond the natural range of motion can cause an ankle sprain such as…
- Landing wrong when jumping or running
- Stepping off a curb wrong
- Slipping on a slippery surface
- Tripping on a hole in the ground
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Ice Pack for Ankle Sprain
Here is a list of ice packs and wraps designed for the ankles to help you heal.
Specifically designed for the foot and ankle, this ice pack can be frozen for cold therapy, or microwaved for hot therapy. The pack is latex-free and pliable enough to mold to the contours of the body. Once applied, Velcro closures keep the pack securely in place. Plus, it is durable and will not leak, even with frequent use.
Pros:
- Durable and will not leak
- Useful for both hot and cold therapy
- Molds to contours of the foot because of gel
Cons:
- Velcro strap is hard to close when trying to strap the wrap to your foot.
Pro Ice Ankle Ice Therapy Wrap
The Pro Ice ankle cold therapy wrap comes with one removable ice pack insert. Ice pack is placed and secured inside a mesh sleeve.
The patented window pane design allows for customizable therapy lasting up to 1 hour. Consistent temperature & compression allows for ice therapy to deeply penetrate muscle & joint aches or pains.
Pros:
- One size fits most
- Ice and compression at the same time
- Long cooling period up to 1 hr
Cons:
- Smaller than expected
- Does provide cold for the bottom of foot.
Ice It! – Ice Pack Wrap for Ankle, Elbow and Foot
Fully Flexible Ice Pack Wrap: Molds around painful areas when frozen, perfect for sprains, strains, tendonitis, inflammation, arthritis, tennis elbow, muscle fatigue and more Quickly reaches freezing temperature. Maintains temperature Longer for maximum therapeutic benefit
Pros:
- Adjustable with velcro straps
- Can be used for cold and heat therapies
- Long cooling period
Cons:
- Doesn’t fit larger feet well
- Ice packs might not last as long a desired.
Foot & ankle pain Relief Ice Wrap by TheraPAQ
Treat injuries and relieve muscle pain with hot and cold therapy foot and ankle wrap. Breathable neoprene wrap featuring adjustable hook-and-loop straps and non-toxic, reusable gel packs. It features adjustable hook-and-loop straps.
Pros:
- Adjustable hook and loop straps
- Can be used for cold and heat therapies
- Different size gel packs for versatility when treating pain
Cons:
- Doesn’t fit larger feet well
- Ice packs can be difficult to insert into the wrap
ACTIVEWRAP Ankle Foot Ice Compression Support
Professional quality compression wrap complete with 2 specially formulated thermal pads that can be assembled and secured in any configuration in the wrap. Delivers targeted relief for the unique curvatures of the foot and ankle stay soft nonmigrating formula delivers a soft conforming treatment every time.
Pros:
- One size fits most.
- Fits left or right foot
- Provides cool and heat therapy
Cons:
- Gel packs are a little undersized
- Doesn’t stay as cold as long as other wraps
Benefits of Using Cold Therapy for Ankle Sprain
Icing an injured ankle is one of the most effective ways to treat the pain. Ice can also be used to treat pain caused by tendonitis, not just ankle sprains. Here a few benefits of using cold therapies:
- Helps reduce pain in the injured area
- Reduces swelling and inflammation
- Reduces the bruising caused by the injury.
Things to Remember
- Avoid direct contact – Placing a very cold ice wrap out of the freezer can cause irritation or frostbite. Place a barrier such as a towel or a sock between the ice pack and skin.
- Treatment Time – Generally speaking you should limit the time you use cold therapy to 20 minutes at a time. Using a cold therapy excessively could slow down the healing process. Also, you should treat the injury with cold therapies up to 48 hours after the injury.
- Ankle Support – If your ankle is injured, make sure to use some type of ankle support, and if you can’t put weight on the injured ankle you might need crutches.
Which Ice packs for ankle sprain should you choose?
Personally, I like the Elasto Gel Ankle Wrap, it is my favorite ice pack for an ankle sprain. Actually, I wore it this week when I hurt my ankle doing yard work.
In general terms, I have some pretty messed up ankles so I use this wrap all the time. I really enjoy its flexibility and how it contours to the foot and it holds the cold for quite some time.
As far as its durability is concerned I have had the Elasto Gel Ankle Wrap for several years. I have never used it for heat therapy, but I would think it would do a good job since it does a great job for cold therapy.
If you are having ankle sprain pain, it is important to see a doctor for a checkup. You deserve to feel better and get back to your day-to-day activities. With the right care and treatment plan, you will be back on healthy feet in no time.
Other resources:
- If you have an ankle sprain injury check out Should I wear and Ankle Brace
- If you have Achilles tendonitis you might want to go over and read Best Ankle Brace for Achilles Tendonitis
- Have you heard of KT Tape, you might want to check out this article KT Tape for Plantar Fasciitis Review . I have personally used KT Tape to help my Achilles Tendonitis and ankle sprains, and it seems to have helped greatly.
- Remember RICE .
