Ankle Sprain: How Long Does It Take to Heal?
A ProVital Physiotherapy Guide
Ankle sprains are common injuries that affect people of all ages, from recreational athletes to individuals who simply twist their ankle while walking.
They are particularly common in sports involving jumping, running, and sudden changes in direction, such as basketball, football, and badminton
But how long does an ankle sprain take to heal? The answer depends on the severity of the injury and how well you rehabilitate your ankle.
How Do Ankle Sprains Happen?
An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle are stretched or torn. This commonly happens when the foot rolls inwards after landing awkwardly, stepping on uneven ground, or changing direction suddenly.
The most frequently injured ligaments are on the outer side of the ankle, particularly the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL).
Ankle sprains are generally classified into three grades:
Grade 1 (mild): Ligament stretching or minor fibre damage.
Grade 2 (moderate): Partial ligament tearing.
Grade 3 (severe): Complete ligament tearing or significant disruption.
What Are the Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain?
Common symptoms include:
Pain around the ankle, particularly when walking.
Swelling and bruising.
Reduced ankle movement.
Difficulty bearing weight.
A feeling of weakness or instability.
Severe pain, obvious deformity, numbness, or an inability to bear weight warrants prompt medical assessment to rule out a fracture or more serious injury.
How Long Does an Ankle Sprain Take to Heal?
Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the sprain.
Severity | Estimated recovery time |
Grade 1 – Mild | 1–3 weeks |
Grade 2 – Moderate | 3–6 weeks |
Grade 3 – Severe | 6–12 weeks or beyond |
These are general estimates, and some injuries may take several months to recover fully.
Although pain may settle relatively quickly, strength, balance, and ankle stability can take longer to return.
What Can You Do to Help Your Ankle Heal?
To support recovery:
Protect your ankle: Avoid activities that worsen your symptoms and use appropriate support if needed.
Manage swelling: Ice wrapped in a towel, gentle compression, and elevation may help relieve discomfort.
Keep moving: Begin gentle ankle movements and gradually increase weight-bearing as tolerated.
Strengthen your ankle: Progress to calf raises and resistance exercises when appropriate.
Improve your balance: Balance exercises can help restore ankle control and reduce the risk of recurrent sprains.
Avoid returning to sports too early. Your ankle should regain adequate strength, mobility, balance, and functional control before you resume high-impact activities.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapy can help you recover safely and return to your usual activities. Your physiotherapist may:
Assess your injury and identify factors affecting recovery.
Improve mobility through appropriate exercises and manual therapy when indicated.
Restore strength with progressive strengthening exercises.
Improve balance and stability through neuromuscular and proprioceptive training.
Guide your return to activity using functional assessments and gradual exercise progression.
At ProVital Physio, we can help you work towards better ankle stability, a confident return to movement, and a lower risk of future sprains.
If your ankle pain persists, walking remains difficult, or your ankle repeatedly gives way, consider seeking a professional assessment.
References
Doherty, C., Delahunt, E., Caulfield, B., Hertel, J., Ryan, J., & Bleakley, C. (2014). The incidence and prevalence of ankle sprain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective epidemiological studies. Sports Medicine, 44(1), 123–140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0102-5
Martin, R. L., Davenport, T. E., Fraser, J. J., Sawdon-Bea, J., Carcia, C. R., Carroll, L. A., Kivlan, B. R., & Carreira, D. (2021). Ankle stability and movement coordination impairments: Lateral ankle ligament sprains revision 2021. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 51(4), CPG1–CPG80. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2021.0302
Waterman, B. R., Owens, B. D., Davey, S., Zacchilli, M. A., & Belmont, P. J., Jr. (2010). The epidemiology of ankle sprains in the United States. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, 92(13), 2279–2284. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.I.01537
