A sprained ankle usually starts with a sudden misstep, roll or twist that puts too much strain on the tissues that support your ankle. These injuries most often affect the outside of the ankle and are common during sports, exercise or everyday activities.
How serious is it?
Ankle sprains can affect people in different ways.
- Milder sprains may feel sore or swollen but still allow some movement.
- More significant sprains involve damage to the tissues that hold the ankle steady and can make walking difficult.
- Bruising and increased swelling are more likely with more severe injuries.
What does recovery look like?
Many ankle sprains improve without surgery, and recovery time varies based on how much the ankle was injured.
- Care often focuses on supporting the ankle while it heals, which may include bracing and guided exercises.
- Injuries higher in the ankle tend to take longer to settle and may need a longer period of recovery.
- Imaging, such as an X-ray or MRI, may be used to check for a fracture.