10 VITALITY Winter 2026 Ankle sprains: What you need to know If you’ve ever rolled your ankle, you know how painful and frustrating a sprain can be. You’re far from alone—around 25,000 people sprain an ankle every day, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. A sprain occurs when an ankle ligament—the tissue that connects bone to bone—is stretched too far or torn. This may be extremely painful, and it can leave your ankle weak and unstable. A painful plot twist Sprains usually happen when the ankle twists. Most sprains affect the outside of the ankle, but they can happen in other areas too. Sports that involve jumping, cutting or other quick direction changes are common culprits. But you can also sprain an ankle while walking on uneven ground or going down the stairs. People with high arches, weak ankle muscles or loose ligaments are more prone to injury. And once you’ve had a sprain, you’re more likely to get another. Is it a sprain? A sprained ankle often hurts right away and may swell, bruise and feel tender, usually on the outside. Depending on the severity, putting weight on it can be difficult. “A lot of people think they can just walk off an ankle sprain, but that’s not always the case,” says Lee A. Lane, DPM, a podiatrist at the CMH Podiatry Clinic. “The ankle can become unstable and more prone to future injuries. The sooner you have it evaluated and treated properly, the better your chances of healing fully and getting back to the activities you enjoy.” When you seek medical care, your doctor will likely do a physical exam of your injury to confirm the sprain. They may also order an X-ray to rule out broken bones. They’ll also check for a high ankle sprain, which is less common but often more serious. This type of sprain affects ligaments above the ankle that connect the two shin bones and help keep them stable when you walk or run. Treatment depends on the severity of the sprain: ● Grade 1 (mild) usually improves within a few days with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Sometimes a brace may be used to increase stability. ● Grade 2 (moderate) needs more time to heal— sometimes weeks—and may require a splint. ● Grade 3 (severe) often requires a boot or cast for up to six weeks or more. Surgery is rarely “The sooner you have it evaluated and treated properly, the better your chances of healing fully and getting back to the activities you enjoy.” —Lee A. Lane, DPM
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