First aid of sprains and in almost all other different sports injuries can be explained by the word ,,R - I - C - E (Table: First Aid in the Field):
This RICE-therapy must be started immediately after trauma, and before further investigation is done. The patient must rest, ice should be applied. In cases, where ice is not available. special ice packs should be preferred (some drug-companies supply packs with two component materials, which freeze when their separating membrane is destroyed by twisting the pack, so that these materials come together) to reduce swelling, tumefaction and pain; but in contrary ice-sprays are mostly superfluous (their only effect is immediate, but not lasting pain relief). The injured area should be treated with compression (bandages, tapes) and should be elevated!
Afterwards, subtle investigations should follow: clinical findings should be compared with thenot-injured other limb, sometimes appearances of abnormal laxity can be found on both sides and is habitual. Clinical investigation should be performed early, then it is mostly easy, but it will become almost impossible after swelling, which needs some time to develop.
First, native x-rays should be taken of both complementary sides. Especially in children, this procedure is necessary to avoid diagnostic mistakes. Ankle- joint fractures and loosening of epiphyseal plates should be excluded.