A sprain is an injury to the ligaments and tissues around a joint.
Sprains usually cause swelling and eventual bruising.
Ligaments, tendons, and small blood vessels are stretched and sometimes torn when a joint is sprained. The goals of treating an ankle sprain are to decrease swelling, control pain, and allow you to return to full activity as soon as possible. The following recovery timeline is approximate and will vary according to your injury, age, and prior level of activity. Phase 1 will last approximately 1-3 days following your injury. Treatment goals in this phase are to minimize swelling and allow you to begin walking.