--- title: All About Sprained Ankles description: Learn about ankle sprains, recovery times, rehabilitation, and the importance of sports physical therapy for effective healing. image: https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Man%20with%20a%20cast%20on%20his%20leg%20and%20crutches.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/help-ive-rolled-my-ankle#main-content) [![Glackin_Logo](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Glackin_Logo.png?width=197&height=52&name=Glackin_Logo.png "Glackin_Logo")](https://www.glackinpt.com) - [About](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [About Us](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [Approach](https://www.glackinpt.com/approach) - [Rates and Insurance](https://www.glackinpt.com/fees/) - [Products](https://www.glackinpt.com/products) - [Blogs](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog) - [Conditions We Treat](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [Physical Therapy for Runners](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-runners) - [TMJ Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/tmj) - [Neck Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-neck-pain) - [Shoulder Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-shoulder-pain) - [Chest Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-chest-pain) - [Back Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/back-pain) - [Pelvic Floor Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-pelvic-pain) - [Hip Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/hip) - [Knee Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/knee) - [Ankle Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/ankle-pain) - [Additional Services](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [FAQs](https://www.glackinpt.com/faq) - [Online Scheduling](https://scheduling.go.promptemr.com/onlineScheduling?w=1081&s=DL) - [Contact](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) - [ankle pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/ankle-pain), - [ankle sprain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/ankle-sprain), - [sports rehabilitation](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/sports-rehabilitation), - [physical therapy in atlanta, ga](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-atlanta-ga), - [physical therapy in brookhaven, GA](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-brookhaven-ga) # All About Sprained Ankles ![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Man%20with%20a%20cast%20on%20his%20leg%20and%20crutches.jpeg) - June 27, 2022 [Glackin Physiotherapy](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/author/glackin-physiotherapy) Did you step off a curb weird or maybe step into a hole? Ouch! Most ankle sprains are an inversion sprain, which overstretches the outside of the [ankle](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/anatomy-of-the-foot-and-ankle-joint) joint. The most commonly affected ligaments in the lateral complex are: Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and/or the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). The Posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) is also part of the lateral complex but not as frequently injured. ## Recovery Timeline for a Sprain Ankle There are different types of ankle sprains. Grades one and two are a micro-tearing of the above ligaments where as grade three is a complete disruption to the ligament and affect the syndesmotic juncture (a fancy way of saying the joint). All of these can greatly affect the recovery/healing time. Grade 1 tears can heal within 4-6 weeks, while grade 2 tears can extend from 4 weeks to as long as 3 months.  Grade 3 tears may require healing for several months and may require an orthopedic consult to rule out other injuries. ![Man in cast from a rolled ankle](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Man-with-a-cast-on-his-leg-and-crutches.jpg?width=261&height=384&name=Man-with-a-cast-on-his-leg-and-crutches.jpg) ## What Does an Ankle Sprain Look Like? Depending on the grade, you might have some bruising, swelling, pain at rest and/or with walking. Your foot and ankle can feel stiff and have less range of motion. ## Is a swollen ankle a Bad Thing? Swelling is not bad! It's part of our body's natural healing response. The swelling occurs because of a cascade of the inflammatory response. All these healing cells rush to the area to help repair the damage. With that said, the body can overreact and produce excessive swelling.  When swelling last longer those initial 72 hours for lighter injuries and longer than a week for more severe injuries, it's important to manage it to prevent excessive connective tissue problems, joint restriction or muscle weakness. ### Ice or Heat? The first 48-72 hours after your injury, ice! After that, heat! Ice will deoxygenate your tissues which we don't want to do. ## Sports physical therapy for a sprained ankle Seek out a sports physical therapist for orthopedic rehabilitation, even if you aren't an athlete! A physical therapist will perform an evaluation to assess the foot and ankle. It's pretty clear that you injured your ankle, but they will want to determine the severity of the injury. In the case of a more significant injury, they likely will refer you back to your doctor for imaging if that hasn't been performed yet. After a thorough assessment, they will gently work on decreasing inflammation and promote early range of motion of the joint. As you progress through therapy this can also look like fascial release to other surrounding tissues, such as the gastrocneumius and soleus muscles if they have tightened up. What Next? Your therapist will take you through exercises to challenge your balance and stability of the ankle joint. They may also work on strengthening other muscles up the kinetic chain like your hips! Finally, they will focus recovery on return to sport when appropriate. ## Physical therapy for a sprained ankle in Brookhaven and Atlanta, GA If you have a sprained ankle and are in need of a physical therapist, a sports physical therapist, or orthopedic rehabilitation, [reach out](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) to our office today! Blog Post ## Related Articles Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Patient%20in%20crutches%20talking%20to%20a%20doctor.jpeg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/stress-fractures-in-the-foot-are-stressful) [foot pain when walking](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain-when-walking), [foot pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain), [foot pain when running](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain-when-running), [stress fracture](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/stress-fracture), [physical therapy in atlanta, ga](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-atlanta-ga), [physical therapy in brookhaven, GA](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-brookhaven-ga) ### [Stress Fractures in the Foot](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/stress-fractures-in-the-foot-are-stressful) July 25, 2022 You've been told you have a stress fracture in your foot! You might be feeling a little overwhelmed and worried. The... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/stress-fractures-in-the-foot-are-stressful) [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/vectorillustration_2.jpeg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/pronation-isnt-a-dirty-word) [foot pain when walking](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain-when-walking), [foot pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain), [foot pain when running](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain-when-running), [physical therapy in atlanta, ga](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-atlanta-ga), [physical therapy in brookhaven, GA](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-brookhaven-ga) ### [Foot Pronation and Ankle Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/pronation-isnt-a-dirty-word) August 8, 2022 Often as physical therapists, we hear how our patient's feet are pronated or that they have flat feet! However,... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/pronation-isnt-a-dirty-word) [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Portrait%20of%20a%20fitness%20man%20with%20foot%20pain%20over%20gray%20background.jpeg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/foot-pain) [foot pain when walking](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain-when-walking), [foot pain when running](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/foot-pain-when-running), [ankle rehab](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/ankle-rehab), [physical therapy in atlanta, ga](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-atlanta-ga), [physical therapy in brookhaven, GA](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-brookhaven-ga) ### [Foot Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/foot-pain) August 15, 2022 Our feet support us all day long but rarely do we give them the attention they deserve until there's something wrong! 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