The ankle, a hinged type joint, takes a tremendous amount of stress, especially while running or performing cutting activities in sports. The pain of an ankle sprain is significant and often keeps the injured person out of play or work for a period of time. With appropriate treatment, ankle sprains most often heal quickly and do not become a chronic problem. First degree sprains are the result of ligaments that connect bones of the ankle being stretched. There is minimal swelling and quick recovery to sports in two to three weeks.
Second degree sprains involve ligaments that are partially torn, with immediate swelling.
There is usually a three to six week rest period before returning to normal activity. Third degree sprains, the most severe, involve severely torn ligaments but rarely require surgery. Eight weeks or more is required for ligaments to heal. The primary goal of treatment is to prevent swelling immediately after injury. Ice is the mainstay of treatment in the first two to three days, along with a compression type bandage, such as an Ace wrap.