The pain from a rolled ankle often fades quickly enough that you might convince yourself it’s fine. But that initial injury — even when it feels minor — can leave you with chronic instability for years if you ignore it.
An ankle sprain isn’t an injury you should push through. The ligaments that hold your ankle bones together have stretched or torn, and how you treat them in the first few days determines whether you heal properly or end up with an ankle that gives out unpredictably during normal activities.
Ryan Goldfine, DPM, at Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia, with two locations in Marietta, Georgia, treats ankle sprains at every stage. Here’s what you need to know about ankle sprains and why immediate care makes such a difference in how well you heal.
An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments that hold your ankle bones together stretch beyond their normal range or tear. These tough bands of tissue keep your ankle stable while allowing the movement you need for walking, running, and changing direction. There are typically three levels of injury:
The ligaments stretch but don't tear. You’ll have mild swelling and tenderness, but you can usually walk with some discomfort.
The ligaments partially tear. Expect moderate swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the injured ankle.
The ligaments tear completely. Severe swelling and extensive bruising make it nearly impossible to put weight on your ankle.
Even a Grade 1 sprain needs proper treatment. The damage may be microscopic, but those tiny tears in your ligament fibers need time and support to heal correctly.
The instinct to test your ankle immediately after spraining it is understandable, but continuing to walk on an injured ankle causes additional damage. Problems include:
About 40% of people who sprain an ankle develop issues like chronic instability because they returned to activity too soon. Each subsequent sprain becomes easier to trigger and harder to recover from.
The first 48-72 hours after spraining your ankle are crucial for recovery. Standard RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is still one of the best steps you can take to relieve pain and inflammation. This protocol includes:
Stop what you’re doing and get off the injured ankle. Even if the pain isn’t severe, continuing to bear weight interferes with healing.
Apply ice for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours during the first few days. This reduces swelling and numbs pain.
Wrap your ankle with an elastic bandage to control swelling, but don’t wrap so tightly that you cut off circulation.
Keep your ankle elevated above heart level whenever possible to help fluid drain away from the injury.
You should also schedule an evaluation with a podiatrist within the first few days, especially if you have severe pain, can’t bear weight, or notice immediate swelling.
Some ankle sprains need more than home care. Warning signs include:
We use X-rays to rule out fractures, while MRI or ultrasound can show exactly which ligaments are damaged and how badly they're torn.
Grade 1 and 2 sprains typically respond to conservative care with a walking boot or brace, physical therapy, and gradual return to activity. Grade 3 sprains sometimes require surgery to repair or reconstruct completely torn ligaments.
An ankle sprain may seem like a minor setback, but how you handle it in the first few days affects your ankle stability for life. Our team can evaluate your injury, create a treatment plan that promotes proper healing, and help you return to activity safely.
Call Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia or request an appointment online today.
