What To Know About: Lateral Ankle Sprains - For Patients
✨ Too Long Didn’t Read (TLDR) / Summary
What is it? An outward “roll” of the ankle stretches/tears the outer (lateral) ligaments.
Common symptoms: Pain on the outside of the ankle, swelling, bruising (may track into the foot), stiffness, and trouble bearing weight.
Recovery window: Mild sprains often improve in ~1 week; moderate sprains in 3–4 weeks; severe/athletic cases can take longer. All degrees of sprain could benefit from structured rehab.
Care focus: Favor PEACE & LOVE principles—early protection, elevation, compression, education → gradual return to loading and exercise. Ice can be used early for symptom relief, but prioritize gentle mobility.
Prevention: Balance/proprioception training; prophylactic bracing in higher-risk sports like basketball or football.
🧾 Condition-Specific General Information
A lateral ankle sprain happens when the foot rolls outward and stresses the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Swelling can appear quickly; bruising often shows over the next 24–48 hours and may extend into the foot. Stiffness and reduced motion are common.
Typical recovery: Mild ≈ 1 week; moderate ≈ 3–4 weeks; severe = months (often with PT) depending on your activity goals.
Why early motion? Gentle, progressive movement supports circulation, reduces stiffness, and helps maintain strength.
Helpful early tools: Compression, elevation, short-term bracing/taping for comfort and walking tolerance (avoid immobilizers > ~10 days).
💙 For Patients
What to expect: Pain and swelling near the outside of the ankle, sometimes with bruising into the foot. Walking can be sore at first but is usually safe as tolerated.
Injury Management: Elevation + compression + gentle mobility. Ice can help early if it makes you feel better but only if it hurts. After pain and swelling settle and you’ve rebuilt motion, work on balance, strength, and higher-impact activities as tolerable.
🗓️ Patient Timeline
Day 0–2: Elevate, compress, and keep it gently moving. If you cannot bear weight, see a medical provider to rule out a fracture.
Early rehab (first 1–2 weeks): Begin ankle range-of-motion, light strengthening, and balance drills; short-term brace/tape can help walking.
Progression: Advance strengthening, single-leg balance, and step-ups. Add light jogging/agility only when walking is pain-free and swelling is controlled.
Return to sport/work: Add sport-specific drills and impact gradually; consider a brace initially for confidence.
❓ Smart Questions and Conversations with Your Healthcare Provider
How do I reduce swelling?
How long will healing take?
I just rolled my ankle - what should I do now?
How long until I walk normally?
When can I run or play sports?
Do I need an X-ray?
Is it safe to walk/work out?
Do I need a brace?
Do I need PT?
How do I prevent another sprain?
📋 For a comprehensive list of questions to ask your physician, physical therapist, and more, check out our FREE downloadable list below!
📂 Supplemental Downloads
📚 Bibliography
Martin RL, Davenport TE, Fraser JJ, et al. Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprains Revision. JOSPT. 2021;51(4):CPG1–CPG80.
Dubois B, Esculier J. Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54:72–73.
Bachmann LM, Kolb E, Koller MT, Steurer J, ter Riet G. Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures. BMJ. 2003;326(7386):417.