A friend tells you to "do RICE" the minute you roll an ankle. Someone else says that advice is out of date. Here is what the guidance actually says, in plain words.
The short answer
Yes, it still has a place. Cleveland Clinic lists the RICE or MEAT methods among the treatments for a sprained ankle and describes them this way: "These are at-home ways to manage injuries." Its guide to a sprained ankle places them in the list of treatments your provider will suggest. So the steps are part of care, not a replacement for it.
What the home steps look like
MedlinePlus spells out the first day in simple terms. You rest and stay off the foot, and you raise it on a pillow at or above the level of your heart. For ice, the advice is: "Apply ice every hour while you are awake, 20 minutes at a time and covered by a towel or bag, for the first 24 hours after the injury."
The list is short and written for people with no medical training. It calls for a pillow, a towel or bag, and ice.
When to bring in a professional
Because Cleveland Clinic places these steps alongside what a provider suggests, home care is the starting point and not the whole plan. If the swelling is not easing, or you cannot tell how serious the injury is, ask someone who treats feet and ankles. Readers in Wood Dale and the villages around it can also read up first, then bring questions to that visit.
A few more pages are worth a look while you wait:
- Strains and sprains on MedlinePlus gives a broader overview of both injuries.
- Cleveland Clinic's page on sprains in general covers types and treatment beyond the ankle.
- If your injury sits higher than the usual spot, Cleveland Clinic has a separate page on high ankle sprains.
A note if this is your first sprain
A first sprain feels like a lot, but the first day is simple: rest, raise, and ice with a towel in between. Do those steps well and you have done the part that is yours to do.