[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/09\/ankle-sprains\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/09\/ankle-sprains\/","headline":"How Long Does Recovery From an Ankle Sprain in Fall Sports Take?","name":"How Long Does Recovery From an Ankle Sprain in Fall Sports Take?","description":"Whether you\u2019re playing football, soccer, or volleyball, or running cross-country, an ankle sprain is a common injury. With all the quick cuts, jumps, and uneven terrain that fall sports bring, even the most agile athletes can face risks. Learn what to look out for, how to rehabilitate, and what exercises and support you need. This […]","datePublished":"2020-09-24","dateModified":"2026-01-23","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","name":"Sports Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sports-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/iStock-943058100.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/iStock-943058100.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/09\/ankle-sprains\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":1106,"articleBody":"Whether you\u2019re playing football, soccer, or volleyball, or running cross-country, an ankle sprain is a common injury. With all the quick cuts, jumps, and uneven terrain that fall sports bring, even the most agile athletes can face risks.Learn what to look out for, how to rehabilitate, and what exercises and support you need. This way, you can stay on the field or trail and reduce strength loss and risk of reinjury.What is an Ankle Sprain?A sprain is a tear or stretch in a ligament \u2014 the strong tissue connecting bones. Ankle sprains involve one or more ligaments.The injury may come from twisting the ankle, landing awkwardly, overusing the ligament, or making a hard cut or jump. Many people report hearing or feeling a pop.Severity can range from mild (ligament stretched) to moderate (partially torn, some instability) to severe (complete tear, often severe swelling and loss of function).How Common Are Ankle Sprains in Fall Sports?Ankle sprains are common in sports where you move often and need to shift your feet quickly. If you get an ankle injury, you will often need to stop playing sports and rest for several weeks, depending on the severity.In football, ankle sprains occur in an estimated 20% to 30% of all injuries, according to one study. 1 Another study found it’s also common in volleyball, accounting for about 25% of all injuries. 2Other sports like soccer and cross-country athletes also show high risks, especially on uneven or slippery surfaces.Symptoms and When the Sprain Might Get WorseCommon ankle sprain symptoms include:Bruising.Instability or feeling like the ankle might \u201cgive out.\u201dPain, especially when you try to walk or put weight on it.Swelling and inflammation.Tenderness.If symptoms worsen, seek medical evaluation. Signs of worsening symptoms can include increasing pain, numbness or tingling, an inability to bear any weight, or swelling\/redness spreading beyond the ankle. These might indicate a more severe sprain or possible fracture.How Long Does It Take to Recover From an Ankle Sprain?Recovery time depends on the severity of the sprain. For example:Mild sprains \u2014 Often heal in one to two weeks with proper care.Moderate sprains \u2014 May take three to six weeks to heal.Severe sprains\u00a0\u2014 Complete ligament tears sometimes take several months or more. This is especially likely if the sprain requires surgery or immobilization.Most athletes can return to sports when they can walk without pain, jump, cut, and hop on the affected ankle with stability.UPMC\u2019s guidelines suggest that before resuming high-impact activities, you should make sure you can do things like run 20 yards, perform lateral cuts, and balance on one leg without pain.How to Recover From Ankle SprainsDoctors recommend using the RICE recovery process to treat a sprained ankle. This stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Here\u2019s how it works:RestIf you have an ankle sprain, rest your ankle for at least 24 to 48 hours without bearing any weight on it \u2014 that means no sports like football or soccer for at least one to two days.If you feel any pain when you step on your ankle, stop. Continued use can make the injury worse and delay healing. Time spent off the ankle will depend on the severity of the sprain.IceApply ice to the ankle for 10 to 20 minutes every three to four hours for the first 48 hours after the sprain occurs. You can cover an ice pack with a towel or use a bag of frozen vegetables.You can also submerge the ankle in a bucket of ice and water for the same duration. The icing process helps to reduce swelling and pain.CompressionWrap the ankle with an elastic medical bandage. This will help decrease swelling associated with the affected limb. Don\u2019t wrap it so tightly that it causes circulation issues.Numbness, tingling, coolness, and increased pain are signs that it\u2019s too tight. Use the compression bandage for two to three days. If you still feel it\u2019s necessary after that, see a doctor or certified athletic trainer.ElevationWhen you\u2019re resting, place your ankle at an elevation higher than your heart. This allows fluid to drain from the ankle area using gravity. You can prop the leg up on a pillow while resting.Treating an ankle sprain may also include taking ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce swelling and pain or using crutches to avoid bearing weight on it. If symptoms persist after a few days, consult a doctor to rule out a broken ankle.What movements should you avoid with a sprained ankle?Avoid:Cutting sharply.Jumping or landing awkwardly.Sudden direction changes (for severe or moderate sprains) until you\u2019ve restored stability and strength.Return to high-impact drills only when you can hop, cut, jump, sprint, and change direction pain-free, with a full range of motion and strength, and with support if necessary.How to Prevent Fall Sport Ankle SprainsFoot and ankle care is vital to preventing sprains. Warm up before a practice or game to protect your ankles before practice. Players should also wear the proper footwear for the sport to ensure that their ankles have adequate support.To help prevent ankle sprains, you can also purchase prophylactic ankle braces at a local sporting goods store. A coach can help athletes with sports injury prevention activities and tips.Athletes who feel fatigued should take a break. Injury is easier when you move lethargically due to overexertion.Warm-up exercises to protect ankles before practice and game dayHere are some simple warm-up exercises for fall sports to help strengthen and prevent ankle injuries:Toe walks and heel walks \u2014 Walk for 30 seconds on your toes and then 30 seconds on your heels.Ankle hops \u2014 With your feet hip distance apart, bounce up and down in small consecutive movements.Leg swings \u2014 Move your legs forward, back, and side to side.Walking lunges \u2014 with torso rotation.Single-leg balance \u2014 Balance on one foot and then the other, with your eyes open and then closed.These exercises can activate the ankle joints and help stabilize muscles. Incorporate them two to three times per week.When Should You See a Doctor?You should see a doctor for an ankle sprain if:Bruising or swelling is excessive or spreading.Numbness, tingling, or severe pain continues.You can\u2019t bear any weight after two days.You suspect a fracture.If you think you have an ankle sprain or want guidance on rehab, you can schedule an appointment with a UPMC Sports Medicine expert. For more on diagnosing, preventing, and recovering from ankle sprains, see UPMC\u2019s Sprained Ankle condition page."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Long Does Recovery From an Ankle Sprain in Fall Sports Take?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/09\/ankle-sprains\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]