Podiatry
Ankle Sprain
Stretched or torn ankle ligaments from a sudden twist or fall — one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries.
An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments supporting your ankle are stretched or torn by a sudden twist or fall. Over 70% of people will experience one in their lifetime, making it one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. The highest incidence is found in physically active populations, especially adolescents and women over the age of 30.
There are several types of ankle sprain, classified by the side and location of the injury: the outside of the ankle (lateral ankle sprain), the inside of the ankle (medial ankle sprain), and above the ankle (high ankle sprain). Lateral ankle sprains are the most common, accounting for around 75–85% of all cases, followed by medial and high ankle sprains, which are relatively rare.
Risk factors
General risk factors include:
- A previous ankle sprain
- Impaired balance and proprioception (spatial awareness)
- Weak calf muscles
- Contact sports
- Sports involving aggressive cutting, pivoting, or jumping
- Improper footwear
- Uneven or slippery terrain
- Body weight
Additional risk factors for lateral ankle sprains include high-arched feet, stiff or restricted ankle movement, and joint hypermobility. Additional risk factors for medial ankle sprains include flat feet, contact sports, and road-based sports such as motorbike riding and downhill longboarding.
Common symptoms
Ankle sprains are graded based on symptoms and imaging:
- Grade 1 — ligament stretched, no tear: mild focal pain and swelling in the ankle; able to stand on the foot with minimal discomfort when walking
- Grade 2 — partial ligament tear: moderate to severe pain; moderate swelling, bruising, and stiffness; the ankle feels unstable when standing on it; unable to tolerate much walking due to pain
- Grade 3 — complete ligament rupture: excruciating pain initially; significant swelling and bruising; unable to move the ankle or put any weight on the foot
- High ankle sprain: pain located above the ankle, with bruising around the lower shin; pain on walking, especially with outward foot movement; tenderness when squeezing the shin bones together
Assessment & treatment
Outlook
Treatment and recovery time vary depending on the grade of sprain. Most mild sprains recover with adequate rest and a short break from sport. For higher-grade sprains, proper assessment and rehabilitation is key to preventing longer-term problems such as chronic ankle instability or post-traumatic arthritis.
Treatment
Your clinician will assess your symptoms and examine your ankle's condition. If imaging hasn't already been done and your clinician feels it's necessary, you may be referred for imaging to investigate which structures have been affected. For grade 2, grade 3, and high ankle sprains, immobilisation for around 6 weeks is generally recommended to allow the ligament to heal. This is typically followed by a structured, progressive loading program to rebuild capacity and prevent future complications. Your clinician may also add adjunct therapies such as shockwave therapy or dry needling to support your recovery.
When to seek prompt care
Most mild sprains settle with rest and a short break from sport. However, you should be assessed promptly if you're unable to put any weight on the foot, if the ankle looks visibly deformed, or if pain and swelling are severe — these can be signs of a higher-grade sprain or an associated fracture that needs early management.
How Simba Health treats Ankle Sprain
Our podiatry clinicians assess the cause of your symptoms and build a personalised, evidence-based plan to treat Ankle Sprain. With no GP referral required and initial appointments from $109, you can start care quickly at a clinic near you.
Podiatry near you
Frequently asked questions
No. You can book podiatry directly at Simba Health with no GP referral, so you can start treatment for Ankle Sprain without delay. Initial appointments start from $109. A referral may still help if you're claiming under a care plan.
Ankle Sprain is treated under our podiatry service, with initial consultations from $109 and lower follow-up fees. We keep our pricing transparent so you know what to expect before your appointment.
Our podiatry clinicians assess the underlying cause of your symptoms, then build a personalised, evidence-based treatment plan for Ankle Sprain. Many people start to notice improvement once the right plan is underway.
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