Most mild sprains can be rehabilitated within a week and moderate sprains within two weeks. Studies have demonstrated the necessary rehabilitation time to be anywhere from two to 31 days depending on the severity of injury. After rehabilitation, coaches and players must decide whether to protect the ankle once the athlete returns to sports when the risk of reinjury is high. It s not an injury that s just treated with crutches, an elastic bandage, and ibuprofen. People who treat their ankle sprains that way end up with chronic ankle instability more often than not.
Protection involves the use of crutches or splints to guard the injured area against further injury.
Rest means avoiding the activity that caused the injury. Ice bags should be applied immediately to a sprain to help reduce swelling and allow for quicker healing. Compression with an elastic wrap also can reduce swelling. Elevating the injured area higher than the heart helps to keep excess fluids from collecting, thus reducing swelling and pain and speeding healing.