What to expect when recovering from a high ankle sprain

Your ankles bear the important responsibility of supporting the majority of your body weight while remaining flexible enough for a wide range of activities, like walking, running and jumping. When your ankle suffers from an injury like a sprain, it is difficult to do much of anything that involves you being on your feet.

Ankle sprains are common injuries, especially in athletes. If you’ve recently sprained your ankle, you’re probably wondering how long it will take before you can recover and get back to doing the things you love. 

What is the difference between a high ankle sprain and low ankle sprain?

A high ankle sprain is not as common as a low ankle sprain, but it still affects many people who rotate or twist their ankles in an impact or fall. A high ankle sprain is a sprain that affects the ligaments right above your ankle. Ankle fractures are often accompanied by high ankle sprains. 

Low ankle sprains are more common than high ankle sprains. They affect the ligaments lower in your ankle joint that might be stretched or torn when your ankle twists inward.

High ankle sprain recovery time

Recovery time from a high ankle sprain varies from person to person. Factors like the severity of the injury, your age and your weight all contribute to what you can expect from your recovery.

Generally, recovery from a high ankle sprain takes about six weeks to three months. During this time, you’ll need to see a physical therapist for treatments that can help your ligaments heal correctly and become stronger to help prevent future ankle injuries. 

At Whatcom Physical Therapy, our team members can evaluate your ankle and estimate how long it will take you to recover with the assistance of a physical therapist. We can provide customized treatment that will help you meet your recovery goals as quickly and safely as possible.

Visit Whatcom Physical Therapy today for assistance in recovering from a sprained ankle

Overall, high ankle sprains generally have a good outlook. Even if it takes a long time, most people with this injury can expect to recover with the assistance of a health care professional like a physical therapist. Are you suffering from a high ankle sprain and need help with recovery? Contact our team today for more information about recovering from a sprained ankle or to schedule an initial appointment.