Expert over-the-counter recommendations for managing mild to moderate sprains. Learn the updated POLICE principle (Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to reduce swelling and promote healing, and find top-rated ankle braces for functional support.
January 8, 2025

Ankle Sprain Recovery Tips

Evidence-Based Over-The-Counter Guide

William Shen

William Shen

Co-founder & CPO

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​​Management aims to reduce swelling, pain, and promote recovery. The following recommendations are for mild to moderate sprains. If you suspect a fracture, see a doctor first.

First-line recommendations:

  • POLICE principle: A strategy to minimize inflammation and encourage healing of closed wounds, such as contusions and sprains: (P) protection, (OL) optimal loading, (I) ice, (C) compression, and (E) elevation. It is a modification of the RICE principle, which recommended resting (R) the injured part.

  • Ankle brace: Provide functional support for 4–6 weeks to facilitate early weight-bearing. Adjustable Ankle Stabilizer.

Professional interventions: 

  • Severe injuries may need imaging (X-rays) to rule-out fracture

  • Splinting or casting may be used and patients can be referred to orthopedic surgery for symptoms that do not resolve or worsen

Citation

Chen ET, McInnis KC, Borg-Stein J. Ankle Sprains. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2019; 18(6): p.217-223. doi: 10.1249/jsr.0000000000000603

What OTC evidence is reviewed?

  • For each condition, we performed a literature review to find a recent widely cited expert group guideline published in the leading specialty-specific peer-reviewed journal or top general medical journal.

  • Based on the recommendations in the publication, we identify recommended active ingredients and devices that are available over-the-counter per FDA regulations.

What evidence is prioritized?

Levels of evidence considered:

  • Tier 1 (Safe and Definitely Effective): Professional field consensus or multiple randomized controlled clinical trials showing the same conclusion. Wherever possible, we use Tier 1 evidence for "first-line" recommendations.

  • Tier 2 (Safe and Probably Effective): Individual clinical trials which may be discordant or large-scale observational experience. Tier 2 evidence may inform "first-line", "second-line", or "supplement" recommendations.

  • Tier 3 (Safe and Maybe Effective): Mechanistic plausibility without high-quality clinical evidence of efficacy but high-quality evidence of safety. Tier 3 evidence may inform "second-line" or "supplement" recommendations.

How does MDandMe select recommended products?

  • Based on the top clinical recommendation, we evaluate products containing the recommended active agent with FDA-approved dosage based on price, average customer reviews, how often it is purchased, and how quickly it will ship to home. 

  • We provide public documentation of the active ingredients in our recommendations, using all 32 FDA monographs, Prescription-to-Nonprescription (Rx-to-OTC) Switches, as well as New Drug Application (NDA) approvals.

How does MDandMe select recommended devices?

  • Based on the top clinical recommendation, we evaluate devices that are FDA-cleared or comply with other medical guidelines (if not a FDA-regulated category) by reputability, price, and average customer reviews.

  • We provide public documentation of supporting evidence for each device.  

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