RICE Protocol: Acute Ankle Sprain Edema Simulator
Interactive 3D simulator of the Starling-forces edema model behind the RICE protocol: toggle Ice, Compression and Elevation on a sprained ankle and watch capillary filtration, lymphatic drainage and interstitial swelling respond in real time.
This simulator turns the RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) into an actual biophysical model. A sprained ankle's swelling is governed by the Starling equation of capillary fluid exchange: fluid crosses leaky, inflamed capillaries into the tissue at a rate set by hydrostatic and oncotic pressure gradients, while the lymphatic system slowly clears it back out. Toggle ice, drag the compression and elevation sliders, and watch the interstitial fluid cloud around a 3D ankle joint grow or shrink in real time as the underlying filtration and drainage terms respond — the same reasoning a sports-medicine clinician uses to justify treating a fresh sprain within the first 48–72 hours.
An interactive 3D model of the Starling-forces capillary exchange behind ankle-sprain swelling — toggle Ice, Compression and Elevation and watch filtration, lymphatic drainage and interstitial fluid volume respond in real time.
3D · Three.js / WebGL renderer · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install