Ankle sprain

In summary: an ankle sprain recovers well if treated completely, not only with rest and ice. Good recovery is precisely what avoids recurring sprains and chronic instability. We assess it with ultrasound at the same center.

An ankle sprain is one of the most frequent injuries: a wrong move, the foot turns and the ligaments are overstretched or partially torn. It hurts, swells, and is difficult to bear weight on.

The key point that many people skip: proper recovery. A poorly healed sprain is the main cause of recurring sprains and chronic ankle instability.

The poorly healed sprain: why the ankle “gives way”

“I twisted my ankle months ago and I still don’t trust it.” It is one of the phrases we hear most in consultations, and there is an explanation.

When a sprain is not fully recovered, two things happen. The ligaments may remain looser than they should. And, above all, proprioception is lost: the ankle’s ability to know what position it is in and react in time. The result is that sensation of instability, the scares when stepping on a curb, and sooner or later, a new twist.

This circle —sprain, half-hearted recovery, new sprain— is what we call a poorly healed sprain. And it can be broken: by assessing the state of the ligaments with ultrasound in the same consultation and working on the strength and stability that were left half-recovered.

Rest and ice are not a complete treatment

The first few days after the twist, protecting the ankle, applying ice, and elevating the leg make sense. The problem is stopping here.

An ankle immobilized for too long loses strength and proprioception. And an ankle that returns to activity without having recovered them is a candidate to twist again. Therefore, a well-planned recovery is progressive and active:

• Recover mobility without forcing.
• Strengthen the musculature that stabilizes the ankle.
• Retrain balance and reactions.
• Return to activity in phases, not all at once.

Additionally, if your way of walking predisposes you to twisting —for example, a foot that bears weight too much on the outside—, a gait analysis detects it and custom insoles can improve support and stability.

Returning to sport after a sprain

For those who play sports, the question is not just “when will it stop hurting”, but “when can I return without relapsing”. And it is not the same moment.

Pain disappears before strength and stability have fully recovered. Returning at the first sign of improvement is the classic recipe for a recurring sprain. In sports podiatry we plan this return by phases, according to the sport and the actual state of the ankle —not according to the competition calendar.

And if you are already dragging several sprains on the same ankle, it is doubly worth studying it: chronic instability is better treated the sooner it is addressed. The first step is knowing where we are starting from: exploration and ultrasound of the ligaments on the same day, and a return-to-play plan made to your measure.