🦶 What You Should Know About Lateral Ankle Sprains

Whether you rolled your ankle stepping off a curb or landed awkwardly playing sports, you're not alone—lateral ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries we see in the clinic.

But just because they’re common doesn’t mean they should be ignored.

🔍 What Is a Lateral Ankle Sprain?

A lateral ankle sprain happens when the foot twists inward, overstretching or tearing the ligaments on the outside of the ankle—especially the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). You’ll usually feel pain, swelling, and sometimes hear a pop or feel a “give” when it happens.

🚨 Common Symptoms

• Sharp pain on the outside of the ankle

• Swelling and bruising

• Difficulty walking or putting weight on the foot

• Feeling of instability or weakness

🏃‍♂️ Why You Shouldn’t "Walk It Off"

It’s tempting to brush off a sprain and keep moving—but here’s the thing:Without proper rehab, ankle sprains often come back. In fact, Reinjury is common, especially if the ligaments heal without regaining full strength and balance control.

🧠 The Role of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy helps you heal faster and prevent future sprains. Here's how:

• Swelling & pain management (early stage)

• Targeted exercises to restore strength, balance, and joint stability

• Manual therapy to improve movement and reduce stiffness

• Return-to-activity planning to safely get back to sports or daily life

Every ankle is different, and so is every rehab plan.

✅ When to See a Physio

If you’re still feeling pain, swelling, or weakness more than a few days after your injury—or it’s not your first sprain—it’s worth getting a professional assessment.

We’ll check not just the ankle itself, but how your foot, hip, and movement patterns may be affecting your recovery.