Sprained ankles are incredibly common in athletics, and when an athlete suffers a sprained ankle, one of the first thoughts that races through their mind is in regards to when they can get back on the field or court. Whether it is because they are a relentless competitor or because they feel like their absence is leaving their team short-handed, many athletes want to know how quickly a sprained ankle can heal.
As you might imagine, there is no standard answer to that question because it involves a number of specific factors. We take a closer look at what factors influence how quickly you can return from a sprained ankle in today’s blog.
How Fast Can I Recover After An Ankle Sprain?
For a more accurate gauge as to when you may be able to return to sporting activities following an ankle sprain, connect with an ankle specialist who can view your foot in person. With that said, here’s a look at some of the factors they will be analyzing to determine when you may be able to return to your sport.
Type Of Sprain – There are different ways to sprain your ankle, and they will influence how quickly you’ll be able to recover. For example, an eversion ankle sprain is typically more severe than an inversion ankle sprain because an eversion sprain involves damage to the thicker deltoid ligaments on the inside of your ankle. Damage to these ligaments is more likely to affect the overall stability of your ankle complex, and will likely require a longer recovery period. High ankle sprains also tend to carry a prolonged recovery period.
Severity – The severity and extent of your ankle ligament damage will also play an important role in how quickly you can return to sporting activities. Your sprain may be graded based on the extent of ligament damage, with Grade 1 sprains involving minor ligament stretching, and Grade 3 sprains involving significant tearing. The more tearing your experience, the longer recovery period you’ll need.
Your Sport – What sport you play to will also impact how quickly you’ll be able to return. Basketball, football and soccer players may need a little bit more time to get back to game speed than baseball players, golfers or recreational swimmers. How much stress you put on your feet during your sport will influence how quickly you can return to your sport.
Your Treatment – One of the most controllable factors that can impact your ability to return to athletics is how you care for your injury. You won’t be able to shave weeks off of your recovery, but if you proactively treat your sprain with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and physical therapy, you can certainly cut down your recovery period by a few days. Don’t just lay in bed and assume time will heal all wounds. Proactively care for your sprain, and you can get back on the field sooner!
Ankle sprains can keep you away from athletics for a couple of days or a number of weeks, but if you proactively treat the injury and connect with a foot and ankle specialist like Dr. Silverman, we’re confident that you’ll be able to return to athletics as quickly as safely possible.