Ankle Sprain

Have you sprained your ankle?

Come and see one of our Podiatrists and get moving again now!

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries that can occur during sports or everyday activities. If left untreated ankle sprains can lead to long term damage that may require surgical intervention.

What gets injured in an ankle sprain?

The typical structure that is sprained is the ATFL a ligament that holds your outside ankle stable on the rest of the foot
Other structures can involve ligaments on the inside of the ankle, across the front and intricate ligaments that stabilise the tarsals(small bones) of the foot.
Fractures are possible and can vary from very small fragments of bone, hairline fractures and those requiring a rigid boot and/or surgery
The amount of damage done depends on the number of fibres snapped in the ligaments affected

How do you fix ankle sprains?

At Sole-Lution Podiatry, our experienced podiatrists will take you through thorough history taking and assessment to determine the cause and severity of your injury. Following this, we provide a variety of treatments to help you heal your injury and get back to your sport/everyday activities as soon as possible:

Treatments We Use for Ankle Sprains

Our podiatrists use a range of proven treatments. The right approach depends on the severity of your sprain and how long you have had symptoms.

Common treatments include:

Strapping and taping to support the joint during recovery
Exercise rehabilitation to rebuild strength and stability
Dry needling to reduce pain and improve healing
Custom orthotics to correct foot mechanics and prevent re-injury
Footwear advice to protect the ankle during sport and daily activities

If you play sport regularly, recovery also involves a structured return-to-play plan. This helps you get back safely without risking another sprain.

How Long Does a Sprained Ankle Take to Heal?

Recovery time varies depending on the grade of the sprain.

A mild Grade 1 sprain typically heals within one to two weeks. A moderate Grade 2 sprain may take four to six weeks. Severe Grade 3 sprains involving full ligament tears can take three months or more.

Starting treatment early makes a significant difference. Many patients who delay treatment develop chronic ankle instability. This means the ankle keeps rolling, even during simple daily tasks.

So the sooner you come in, the better your outcome.