Sprained ankles are a common injury, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. Whether you’re an athlete, a grandparent playing with your grandchildren, or a young person who simply missteps, everybody is susceptible to spraining their ankle. Because of this, understanding how to manage a sprained ankle is crucial for everybody— athlete or not.
This article covers everything you need to know, from what a sprained ankle is to the different types and the recovery timeline. For personalised advice or to book an appointment, contact our team at Specific Physiotherapy today.
What is a Sprained Ankle?
A sprained ankle is a musculoskeletal injury that may happen when playing sport, engaging in recreational activities, or even doing daily tasks like grocery shopping. It occurs when the ligaments— tough bands of tissue that connect bones and provide stability to joints— that support the ankle joint are stretched or torn. When the ankle is twisted, turned, or rolled beyond its normal range of motion, these ligaments may become damaged.
While anybody may sprain their ankle, it happens most often to people who are physically active, whether this is playing a sport at school or going to the gym after work. As physical activity comes with the risk of injury, it’s essential to know what to do if you sprain your ankle. And regardless of how you sprained or otherwise injured your ankle, remember that sports physiotherapy is for everybody!
What is the Difference Between a Sprained Ankle and a Broken Ankle?
While both injuries involve the ankle, a sprain and a fracture are fundamentally different. A sprained ankle affects the ligaments, whereas a broken ankle involves one or more of the bones in the ankle joint.
Sprains typically happen when the ankle is twisted or turned in a certain way, especially when it’s sudden or unexpected, which causes the ligaments to stretch or tear. This typically results in pain, swelling, and instability. Meanwhile, a broken ankle (also called an ankle fracture) happens when one or more bones in the ankle break or crack due to excessive force. This also results in pain and swelling, and typically includes bruising and the inability to bear weight on the affected foot.
The symptoms are often similar, but a fracture often leads to more severe pain and visible deformity. X-rays or other imaging techniques are usually required to differentiate between the two.
What Are the Types and Symptoms of Ankle Sprains, and How are They Addressed?
Ankle sprains are classified into three grades based on their severity:
1. Grade 1 (Mild): This is the most common type of ankle sprain and happens when ligaments are mildly stretched or torn. While the symptoms may vary, they typically include mild tenderness and swelling, and don’t include joint instability.
Mild sprains typically don’t require splinting or casting. Physiotherapy for mild ankle sprains may include isometric exercises such as planks or squats, as these aim to build muscular strength, and stretches to assist muscle tissue.
2. Grade 2 (Moderate): This is where the ligament tears slightly. Symptoms include moderate pain, swelling, bruising, and some degree of joint instability.
Moderate ankle sprains may require immobilisation with an air splint, also known as an air cast. Physiotherapy for a moderate sprain will depend on the injury but typically includes range-of-motion exercises and exercises to stretch and strengthen the affected area.
3. Grade 3 (Severe): This is a complete tear or rupture of the ligament. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, significant bruising, significant joint instability, and inability to bear weight on the affected ankle.
Due to the significant swelling and instability common with severe sprains, this injury often requires immobilisation such as a cast, brace, or other supports. Physiotherapy may be similar to that for moderate sprains, but typically for a longer period of time.
Sprained Ankle Symptoms
Common symptoms of an ankle sprain, regardless of severity, include:
- Pain, especially when bearing weight on the affected foot
- Swelling and tenderness
- Bruising
- Limited range of motion
- Difficulty walking
Instability, or a feeling of the ankle ‘giving way’.
How are Ankle Sprains Diagnosed and Treated?
Diagnosing an ankle sprain typically involves a physical examination by a healthcare professional, who will assess the range of motion, swelling, and pain. In some cases, imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound may be used to rule out fractures or more severe ligament injuries.
Treatment for a sprained ankle generally follows the R.I.C.E. protocol:
1. Rest: Rest is essential to allow the injury to heal. Resting involves avoiding activities that cause any pain, swelling, or discomfort. In some cases, crutches may be beneficial as they allow you to avoid bearing weight on the affected ankle.
2. Ice: Applying ice packs to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes every two to three hours during the initial 48 hours after injury may reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation. Don’t put ice directly on the injury, instead, wrap it in a thin towel to protect the skin.
3. Compression: Use an elastic bandage or ankle brace to help reduce swelling and support the joint. This also aims to provide support to the injured ligament.
4. Elevation: Keep the ankle elevated above the level of the heart. This aims to reduce swelling while draining fluid away from the injured area.
In addition to R.I.C.E., over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen may help to manage pain and inflammation. For more severe sprains, physiotherapy may be recommended to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Ankle Ligament Injury Recovery Time
Whether you have a mild, moderate, or severe ankle sprain, all ankle sprains should be addressed by healthcare professionals. If left untreated, the ligaments may not heal correctly and result in more pain and instability. During the recovery process, all ankle sprains go through three recovery phases:
- Phase 1: This phase incorporates the R.I.C.E. method and aims to protect the ankle and reduce swelling. This typically takes around one week.
- Phase 2: In this phase, you’ll work on restoring your strength, flexibility, range of motion. This phase generally takes one to two weeks.
- Phase 3: Here, you’ll gradually return to your normal activities, providing you don’t engage in anything that may re-sprain your ankle like netball, tennis, or basketball. Following maintenance exercises, you’ll likely be able to return to these activities slowly and carefully.
Ankle Injury Recovery Time
No matter how mild or severe your injury may be, one of your first thoughts when you injure your ankle is likely to be: How long does a sprained ankle take to heal?
If you have a mild sprain, you may be tempted to ignore the pain and continue your daily activities as normally as possible. However, it’s important to remember that even mild injuries require proper care and rest to heal. Ignoring the injury and pushing through the pain may worsen the damage, further stretching or tearing ligaments and delaying your recovery.
Generally, recovery time for an ankle sprain varies based on the severity of the injury:
- Grade 1 Sprain: Typically heals within one to three weeks.
- Grade 2 Sprain: May take three to six weeks to recover.
- Grade 3 Sprain: May take several months to heal fully.
Healing times may vary based on individual factors such as age, overall health, and adherence to your recommended treatment. While mild sprains may heal within a few weeks, more severe sprains may take several months to recover fully. It’s important to follow a structured rehabilitation program to avoid re-injury and ensure complete recovery.
Address Your Sprained Ankle With Specific Physiotherapy
At Specific Physiotherapy, we understand that your injury, recovery, and treatment is unique. No matter if you sprained your ankle preparing for a grand final or if you missed a step on your daily walk, our goal is to assist you in your recovery with compassion and dedicated care. We have experience working with people of all sporting abilities, and support you with a personalised treatment plan tailored to your goals. Ready to get started? Book your appointment today!
