Sprained Ankle Recovery Time

You can sprain your ankle by overextending the ligaments in the ankle. The overextension causes the ligament to tear, creating a painful injury that might take from a few days to several weeks to heal.

Types

• Sprains are rated on a scale of 1 to 3, with 2 being the most common and 3 being the most severe.

Identification

• You can identify the grade of the sprain based on a few factors. Grade 1 sprains have no or a little swelling and mild immobility. Grade 2 sprains have some swelling with significant tissue damage. Grade 3 sprains involve a lot of swelling and severe tissue damage.

Time Frame

• A grade 1 sprain usually heals within a few days; a grade 2 sprain might take four to six weeks; and a grade 3 sprain can take 12 weeks to heal.

Care

• The first thing to do is determine if you need medical care. Any swelling and immobility are a good indicator that you should see a doctor. Mild sprains are usually treated with ice and rest. More severe sprains might also require physical therapy, and grade 3 sprains could require surgery to repair the damage, followed by physical therapy.

Prevention/Solution

• Make sure you are adequately stretched before exercising. Wearing supporting braces during exercise can help prevent sprains, especially in people who have weak ankles.