Condition
Ankle sprain: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clinically reviewed guide to ankle sprains — recovery, and why rehab matters to prevent recurrence.
- Ankle & Foot
Quick answer
An ankle sprain is a stretch or tear of the ankle ligaments, usually from rolling the ankle. Most sprains recover with early movement, exercise and a graded return to activity, and proper rehab reduces the high risk of re-spraining.
Key facts
- Sprains usually involve the outer ankle ligaments.
- Early movement beats prolonged rest for most sprains.
- Rehab matters — poorly rehabbed ankles often re-sprain.
What is an ankle sprain?
An ankle sprain is a stretch or tear of the ligaments that support the ankle, most often from the ankle rolling inward.
Sprains are graded by severity. The outer (lateral) ligaments are most commonly affected. Even mild sprains benefit from rehabilitation to restore strength and balance.
What are the symptoms of an ankle sprain?
Typical symptoms are pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty putting weight on the ankle.
- Pain around the ankle, especially the outer side
- Swelling and bruising
- Difficulty or reluctance to bear weight
- A feeling of instability in more significant sprains
How is an ankle sprain treated?
Most sprains are treated with early protected movement, exercise, balance training and a graded return to activity.
Modern management favours gentle early movement over prolonged rest. Restoring strength and balance is essential to prevent recurrence and chronic instability.
At Postura Wellness, care for ankle sprains is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Inability to bear weight, marked deformity, or bony tenderness after an ankle injury may indicate a fracture and should be assessed, often with an X-ray.
Get a clear plan for your ankle sprain
Book an assessment at either branch and get a tailored plan.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual condition.
Sources
- Injuries and Wounds — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Sports Injuries — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Bone Diseases — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Bones, Joints and Muscles — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Muscle and Bone Diseases — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Joint Disorders — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine