An ankle sprain might seem like a “minor” injury at first, but if left untreated or managed poorly, it can lead to long-term pain, instability, and even arthritis or surgery down the road. At The Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona, we understand how disruptive an ankle injury can be — that’s why we offer expert evaluation and personalized care to help you recover fully and safely return to the activities you love.
What Is an Ankle Sprain?
An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments — the strong bands of tissue that connect bones together — are stretched or torn, usually from twisting or rolling the ankle beyond its normal range of motion. Sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, especially in athletes and active adults.
Common Symptoms
If you’ve experienced a sprain, you may notice:
- Pain and tenderness around the ankle
- Swelling and bruising
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight
- A sensation that the ankle is “unstable” or giving way
- Stiffness or limited range of motion
These symptoms may last for days to weeks depending on severity, and sometimes even longer if the injury isn’t properly treated.
Treatment Options: From Early Protection to Advanced Care
1. Get X-rays to Rule Out Fracture
One of the most important steps after twisting or rolling your ankle is obtaining imaging — especially X-rays — to rule out a fracture. Many patients assume an injury is “just a sprain,” but certain bone fractures (including ankle or foot fractures) can feel very similar in the early stages.
Why X-rays matter:
- They help exclude fractures or bony avulsion injuries that might require different treatment (such as casting or surgery to repair the broken bones).
- They guide how soon and how aggressively you can start weight-bearing and rehabilitation — which is critical for safe healing.
- Missing a fracture can lead to delayed healing, worsening deformity, chronic pain, and prolonged disability.
At our practice, we typically obtain X-rays for any significant ankle trauma, especially if you have:
- Inability to bear weight immediately after injury
- Significant tenderness over the bones
- Marked swelling and bruising
Prompt imaging ensures that your rehabilitation starts on the right track — tailored to the exact nature of your injury.
2. POLICE: Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, Elevation
Early care after an ankle sprain sets the foundation for healing and long-term function. Modern evidence supports the POLICE protocol over traditional RICE — especially for athletes and active adults. POLICE stands for:
- Protection & Rest – Immediately protect the injured ankle from further harm. This may include a brace, pneumatic walking boot, or supportive taping. Protection helps reduce pain and swelling without completely immobilizing the joint.
- Optimal Loading – Rather than complete rest, controlled and gradual loading of the ankle is encouraged as soon as it can be tolerated. Optimal loading stimulates tissue healing, preserves muscle strength, and restores normal ligament biomechanics. Complete rest should be short-lived and limited to the very acute phase after injury. Progressive, pain-guided activity helps the ligament and surrounding tissues remodel more effectively.
- Ice – Ice can help control pain and swelling in the first 48–72 hours, typically applied for 15–20 minutes several times a day.
- Compression – Light compression with a wrap or brace helps reduce swelling and supports the joint during early movement.
- Elevation – Keeping the ankle elevated above heart level when resting assists in draining excess fluid and controlling edema.
Studies comparing PRICE and POLICE protocols show that POLICE — with optimal loading — leads to faster functional recovery and reduced disability than more passive approaches that emphasize rest.
Importantly, early protected mobilization must be individualized and guided by a clinician, especially for more severe injuries. Early loading doesn’t mean unprotected or painful activity — it means planned, progressive movement that promotes healing while guarding against re-injury.
3. Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
Once fracture has been ruled out, targeted rehabilitation is essential. Physical therapy focuses on:
- Restoring strength and range of motion
- Improving balance and proprioception
- Preventing recurrent sprains and chronic instability
Structured rehabilitation significantly reduces the risk of long-term ankle problems and repeat injuries.
4. Bracing & Activity Modification
Functional ankle braces and activity modifications provide support during healing and return to sport. Evidence shows that bracing and neuromuscular training can significantly reduce the risk of recurrent ankle sprains.
5. Advanced Imaging & Specialist Evaluation
If pain, swelling, or instability persist despite appropriate treatment, advanced imaging such as MRI may be necessary to evaluate for more subtle, concomitant injuries such as:
- Osteochondral lesions of the ankle
- Tendon injuries
- Ligament tears not visible on X-ray
6. Surgery When Needed
In cases of severe ligament injury or chronic ankle instability that fails conservative treatment, surgical stabilization may be recommended to restore stability and function and prevent long-term joint damage.
Why Early Evaluation Matters
Many patients think they can “walk it off,” but research shows that up to 70% of people develop recurrent sprains, lingering instability, or chronic problems after an ankle sprain if not properly treated. When the ankle remains unstable, it’s not just discomfort — it can lead to:
- Recurrent sprains — repeated injuries increase weakness and limit activity.
- Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) — a long-term state of the ankle giving way, pain, and impaired balance.
- Osteochondral lesions — damage to the bone and cartilage that can cause persistent pain and disability.
- Post-traumatic arthritis — early arthritis from repeated injury, which may limit mobility and quality of life. Over time, this can accelerate wear and may even lead to total ankle replacement surgery in severe cases.
Return to Sport: What the Evidence Shows
One of the biggest questions active patients ask is: “When will I get back to my sport?” The literature regarding the timeline for return to sport after an ankle sprain is sparse, however it does indicate that inadequate rehabilitation and early return to sport may lead to residual disability and chronic conditions. For this reason, we rely heavily on our physical therapy colleagues for sport-specific rehabilitation to promote safe return to sport and ultimately enhance the long-term health of your ankle.
Why Choose Expert Care at The Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona?
Accurate Diagnosis
We use the latest imaging and clinical exams to understand the exact nature and severity of your injury.
Personalized Recovery Plans
No two ankle injuries are alike. Your treatment path — from therapy to bracing to possible surgical options — is tailored to your goals and lifestyle.
Return-to-Activity Focused
Whether you want to get back to weekend hikes or competitive sports, we help you progress safely with evidence-based protocols.
Comprehensive Long-Term Care
Treating a sprain isn’t just about today — it’s about preventing future problems like instability and arthritis that could affect your long-term mobility.
Don’t Let a “Simple” Sprain Become Something Worse
Ignoring persistent pain or instability can lead to chronic issues that are much harder to treat than addressing the problem early with expert care. Whether you have just experienced an acute ankle sprain, you are recovering from an old sprain and it’s still bothering you, or if you are experiencing the repercussions of injuries from your youth – we are here to help.
Schedule your evaluation today and take the first step toward a stronger, more stable ankle.
Sources
Marín Fermín T, Al-Dolaymi AA, D’Hooghe P. Acute Ankle Sprain in Elite Athletes: How to Get Them Back to the Game?. Foot Ankle Clin. 2023;28(2):309-320. doi:10.1016/j.fcl.2022.12.007
Bleakley CM, Glasgow P, MacAuley DC. PRICE needs updating, should we call the POLICE? British Journal of Sports Medicine 2012;46:220-221.
Yeung MS, Chan KM, So CH, Yuan WY. An epidemiological survey on ankle sprain. Br J Sports Med. 1994;28(2):112-116. doi:10.1136/bjsm.28.2.112
