What You Should Know About Lateral Ankle Sprains

Rolled your ankle stepping off a curb? Landed awkwardly in a netball match? You’re not alone—lateral ankle sprains are among the most common lower‑limb injuries we treat.

Illustration showing ATFL, CFL and other lateral ankle ligaments

What Exactly Is a Lateral Ankle Sprain?

A lateral ankle sprain happens when the foot rolls inward (inversion), overstretching or tearing the ligaments on the outside of the ankle—chiefly the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL).

Sprain Grades at a Glance

Grade	Tissue Damage	Typical Recovery
I	Micro‑tears, minimal swelling	1–2 weeks
II	Partial tear, moderate swelling/bruising	3–6 weeks
III	Complete tear, marked instability	8–12 weeks (often longer)

Common Symptoms

·       Sharp pain on the outer ankle

·       Swelling & bruising

·       Difficulty putting weight through the foot

·       Sensation of instability or “giving way”

Common symptom after a lateral ankle sprain

Why You Shouldn’t Just “Walk It Off”

Up to 40 % of patients develop chronic ankle instability or recurrent sprains if the initial injury is under‑rehabilitated.

First 48 Hours after an ankle sprain: The POLICE Principle

·       Protect – crutches or brace if needed

·       OL – Optimal Loading (gentle pain‑free movement)

·       Ice – 15 min every 2 h

·       Compression – elastic bandage or tubigrip

·       Elevation – foot above heart

How Physiotherapy Speeds Recovery

1.     Early‑stage pain & swelling control – manual lymphatic drainage, taping, gentle range of motion

2.     Strength & proprioception – resisted band work, calf raises, hip stabilisers

3.     Balance retraining – wobble‑board and single‑leg tasks

4.     Return‑to‑sport testing – hop tests, Y‑Balance, sport‑specific drills

Red Flags – When to Seek Imaging or a Specialist

If you cannot take four steps immediately after injury or 48 h later, an X‑ray per the Ottawa Ankle Rules is advised. Numbness, severe deformity, or pain above the lateral malleolus also warrant further assessment.

DIY Prevention Circuit (3–10 mins a Day)

1.     Single‑leg stance eyes closed – 3 × 30 s

2.     Calf raises off a step – 3 × 15

3.     Wobble‑board tilts – 2 × 1 min each direction

4.     Monster band walks – 3 × 10 m

Your Next Step

Still sore or unstable after a week? Book an in‑clinic assessment or call us at 647-529-6889 for a FREE 15-Min Consultation so we can tailor a rehab plan that suits your sport and lifestyle. Book Now!