Ankle Sprains

First off, there are a few different types of ankle sprains, but in this article I am going to focus on the most common one.

Lateral ankle sprains are extremely common and typically occur when someone rolls their ankle. This happens when the foot turns inward underneath the tibia.

The most commonly injured ligament is the anterior talofibular ligament, also known as the ATFL. The severity of an ankle sprain is usually classified on a three level scale.

Grade 1

The ligament is stretched and may have small amounts of micro tearing.

Grade 2

There is a partial tear of the ligament.

Grade 3

There is a complete tear of the ligament, also known as a rupture.

As you would expect, the greater the severity, the longer the recovery time.

For grade 1 sprains, an athlete can often return to sport relatively quickly as long as symptoms are tolerable. We typically recommend icing during the first 48 hours along with early, controlled movement. This can include light jogging or jumping as tolerated. Most people recover within 5 to 14 days, and in many cases only a small amount of physical therapy is needed.

For grade 2 sprains, there is usually some time missed from practice or competition. Icing during the first 48 hours is still recommended, and reducing time on your feet may be necessary if pain is significant. Recovery typically takes 2 to 6 weeks. This group often benefits from structured physical therapy to restore strength, stability, and confidence.

For grade 3 sprains, there is typically a significant loss of time from sport due to the severity of the injury. Icing and elevation are important early on. Many individuals will require a walking boot and possibly crutches for a period of time before returning to normal walking. Rehabilitation after this phase is essential and should be progressed based on tolerance. Recovery typically takes 6 to 12 weeks.

It is also important to understand that all three levels of ankle sprains increase the risk of future sprains. This is why proper rehab is so important.

Using an ankle brace can help reduce the risk of re-injury, especially when returning to sports or high-level activity. I will link a good option here.

Most people do very well after an ankle sprain, especially when it is managed appropriately from the start. I will also include some of the exercises here that we commonly use to help people recover and return to full activity.

-Dr. Caleb