Ankle Pain
Treatment

Mild (Grade 1) sprains typically heal within 1-3 weeks. Moderate (Grade 2) sprains take 3-6 weeks. Severe (Grade 3) sprains can take 3-6 months. Physiotherapy significantly improves healing speed and reduces the risk of re-injury and chronic instability.

Ice is best for the first 48-72 hours after an acute injury to reduce swelling and pain. Heat can be helpful later for chronic stiffness and before exercises. We’ll guide you on the right approach for your specific stage of healing.

Yes, very effectively. Balance training, proprioception exercises, and ankle strengthening have been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent ankle sprains by up to 50%. This is a key component of our ankle rehabilitation programs.

Return to sport depends on the severity of the sprain and your progress in rehab. You should be able to hop on the injured ankle without pain, have full range of motion, and pass balance and agility tests before returning. Your physiotherapist will guide you through return-to-play criteria.

Some residual swelling can persist for several weeks, especially with more severe sprains. However, prolonged swelling may indicate that you’re doing too much too soon or that there’s an underlying issue. We can assess whether your swelling is normal or requires attention.