Ankle Sprain Injuries

You have had an injury involving muscles and ligaments in your ankle.

Your ankle may be:

• Painful
• Swollen
• Difficult to move
• Difficult to walk on

Pain and stiffness may not be noticed immediately after your ankle sprain or injury, but may get worse over the next 24 – 48 hours. It will gradually improve. These symptoms can last from a few days to a few weeks or more.

After examination your doctor may not have felt it was necessary for you to have an x-ray to confirm you have a sprain or ligament injury.

What can I do to help myself?

To relieve your pain and reduce any swelling:

• Take painkillers as instructed by your doctor. Always follow the instructions provided in the leaflet supplied with your tablets.
• Place a cold compress (for example, a bag of frozen peas wrapped in towel) over the part of your ankle that hurts. Do not put ice directly against your skin or use the cold     compress for more than 20 minutes. Repeat this every 2-3 hours.
• When sitting, elevate (raise) your injured ankle, either on a stool, chair, arm of sofa or on a pillow when in bed.
• Try not to walk on your ankle for 1-2 days after your injury. You may put your full weight on your foot as soon as it is comfortable to do so.
• Avoid standing still for long periods of time.

To help with improvement

Begin exercising your ankle, ‘little and often’, starting with slow small movements and gradually increase.

To exercise your ankle, keeping your knees straight:

• Point your toes forward and then up towards your chest, as far as you can.
• Turn your ankle to the right and then to the left.
• Turn your foot in a circle.

This will be painful at the start, but will not harm your ankle. A cold compress applied to your ankle for about 5 minutes before you do your exercises may help.

If you follow this advice you should:

• Notice less pain and stiffness in your ankle.
• Be able to walk with less discomfort.

You should continue with the exercises until your ankle is no longer painful or stiff.

When can I expect my ankle to be back to normal?

Your sprained ankle should start to get better within 2 weeks, but it can take 6 – 8 weeks to heal fully.

What if it does not get better?

If your ankle does not improve after 2 weeks you should make an appointment to see your GP or return to Accident and Emergency.

Do not drive until full movement of your ankle is possible.

Contact numbers

If you need further advice or have any problems please telephone the Accident and Emergency Department or the Minor Injuries Unit where you have been treated.

University Hospital of North Tees
Telephone: 01642 382700
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

University Hospital of Hartlepool
Telephone: 01642 382702
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Further information is available from

NHS Choices
Telephone: 111 (when it is less urgent than 999) Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones or via the website at www.nhs.uk

References and information used to develop leaflet

https://patient.info/bones-joints-muscles/sports-injuries/ankle-injury-sprained-ankle

NICE CKS (2020) https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/sprains-strains/management/management/  

Vuurberg G, Hoorntje A, Wink LM, et al Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline British Journal of Sports Medicine 2018;52:956

Peace & Love – Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE (bmj.com)

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

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Telephone: 01642 624719

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Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]