How Long Does a Sprained Ankle Take to Heal?

In sports, ankle sprain is one of the most common ankle injuries. It can occur due to various reasons. The time it may take to heal may depend on the severity of the condition. In this blog, we’ll discuss what a sprained ankle is, what causes it, its symptoms, and how long it takes to heal. Let’s get started:

What is a Sprained Ankle?

Your ligament may become stretched when an ankle turns, twists, or rolls awkwardly. Most commonly, your ankle ligament gets injured because of an inversion sprain. In this condition, the foot turns inward, and the ligaments on the outside of the ankle stretch beyond their usual range of motion. The ligaments are a band of fibrous tissue, which connects two bones for stability, and on the outside of the ankle – the calcaneofibular ligament, the anterior talofibular ligament, and the posterior talofibular ligament – can all be injured at the same time. When the foot turns out, a medial ankle sprain can happen. The eversion injury is far less common, but can affect the deltoid ligament, which is the main stabilizer on the inside of the ankle.

What are the Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain?

Symptoms of ankle sprain will vary depending on the severity of the injury.

• Less severe ligament strains and tears may cause mild pain and tenderness when walking.
• More severe injuries can lead to pain even when resting, and this increases with ankle use.
• Other symptoms include increased bruising, tenderness, and swelling. Ankle range of motion and stability can also be decreased with an ankle sprain.
• Athletes may report feeling or hearing a sound at the time of the injury, consistent with more severe ankle sprains.

Sprained Ankle Recovery Time

During sprained ankle recovery, patients will notice isometric strengthening, range-of-motion exercises, and balance training. For those returning to physical activity before the ankle heals completely, taping or bracing may provide additional stability to the ankle. In rare cases of a full tear of multiple ligaments, a surgical option may allow an athlete to return to activity sooner.

• A grade 1 sprain may take one to three weeks for recovery.
• A grade 2 sprain may take three to six weeks.
• A grade 3 or a high ankle sprain recovery could last several months.

How to Heal a Sprained Foot Overnight?

Although it might be difficult to heal a sprained foot overnight, you can consult with a physiotherapist for physiotherapy in Glenroy or can opt for self-care at home.

Self-care at home: After having an ankle sprain, you can follow a self-care routine for the first two days:

• Rest: Don’t engage yourself in activities that can cause pain.
• Ice: You can apply an ice pack for at least 10 minutes every 1 to 2 hours. This can alleviate pain and swelling.
• Compression: You can use a compression bandage to alleviate swelling.
• Elevation: You can raise your ankle to alleviate swelling, for as long and as often as you need.

You can walk, do gentle exercises, or bear weight on your sprained ankle. You can try walking as normally as you can. If you cannot put weight on your leg, you can seek help from a physiotherapist at Magnus Medical. During this time, you need to follow ‘NO HARM’ recommendations:

• No Heat
• No Alcohol
• No Running
• No Massage

Physiotherapy
You can also reach out to a physiotherapist after your ankle injury. Physiotherapists can help you recover more quickly. They can work on ligaments and muscles in your ankle. As your ankle starts healing, a physiotherapist will create a personalised plan with exercises and stretches. Strengthening and functional exercises are used to help:

• Strengthen the muscles around your ankle
• Restore your ankle’s range of motion
• Improve your balance and stability

Conclusion
Now, you know the answer to the most commonly asked question: how long does a sprained ankle take to heal? It completely depends on the severity of your ankle injury when it comes to recovery time. You can also book an appointment with our physiotherapist at Magnus Medical Centre Glenroy.