Ankle sprains are among the most common sports and daily-life injuries. Whether you rolled your ankle stepping off a curb or landed awkwardly during a game, understanding the types, symptoms, treatment, and recovery timeline helps you heal faster—and avoid reinjury.

What Is an Ankle Sprain?

An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments—the fibrous bands that stabilize the ankle joint—are stretched or torn. Severity ranges from mild stretching to complete tears, which affects pain, swelling, and joint stability.

Types of Ankle Sprains

Lateral (Inversion) Sprain

The most common sprain happens when the foot rolls inward, stressing the ligaments on the outer ankle—especially the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL).

Medial (Eversion) Sprain

Less common, this occurs when the foot rolls outward, injuring the ligaments on the inner (medial) side of the ankle.

Syndesmosis (High Ankle) Sprain

Typically from a twisting mechanism where the foot rolls outward and the leg turns inward, this involves the ligaments between the tibia and fibula and may require a longer recovery.

Symptoms by Severity

  • Grade 1 (Mild): Stretching of ligaments; mild tenderness, little swelling; usually stable.
  • Grade 2 (Moderate): Partial tear; moderate tenderness and swelling; some instability; walking may be painful.
  • Grade 3 (Severe): Complete tear; significant swelling and bruising; marked instability and pain, sometimes with difficulty bearing weight.

First Aid: R.I.C.E. + Protection

  1. Rest: Limit weight-bearing activities initially.
  2. Ice: 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours for the first 48 hours.
  3. Compression: Elastic wrap or brace to minimize swelling.
  4. Elevation: Above heart level to reduce swelling.

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories may help with pain and swelling (use as directed and consult your clinician if needed).

Diagnosis & When to See a Doctor

Seek care if you have severe pain, obvious deformity, inability to bear weight, numbness, or worsening swelling. Your provider may use X-rays to rule out fracture and, in some cases, MRI to evaluate ligament damage.

Treatment Options

  • Grade 1: R.I.C.E., activity modification, and an ankle wrap. Typical recovery: 1–2 weeks.
  • Grade 2: Functional bracing or a walking boot, protected weight-bearing, and early rehab. Typical recovery: 3–6 weeks.
  • Grade 3: Immobilization (boot or cast). Some cases may need surgical repair. Recovery may take 8–12+ weeks, depending on activities and healing.

Rehabilitation: Get Strong, Get Stable

As pain and swelling subside, progressive rehab restores mobility, strength, and balance:

  • Range of motion: Alphabet or clockwise/counterclockwise ankle circles, gentle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion.
  • Strength: Resistance-band exercises (inversion/eversion), calf raises.
  • Balance & proprioception: Single-leg stance, wobble board drills to reduce re-injury risk.

Advance to sport-specific drills only when you have full, pain-free motion and near-normal strength and balance.

Prevention Tips

  • Warm up before activity; focus on calf and ankle mobility.
  • Use supportive footwear and consider a brace if you have a history of sprains.
  • Maintain strength and balance training year-round.
  • Train landing mechanics and cutting technique for field/court sports.

Quick Answers

  • How long does it take to heal? Mild: ~1–2 weeks; moderate: 3–6 weeks; severe/high ankle: 8–12+ weeks.
  • Can I walk on it? Let pain guide you. Use protection (brace/boot) and progress weight-bearing as tolerated.
  • When can I return to sports? After pain-free motion, strength, and balance are restored—and your provider clears you.

Ready to Heal? Book an Appointment

Early, expert care speeds recovery and helps prevent chronic ankle instability.

Book an Appointment with our orthopaedic specialists today.