An ankle sprain is a common injury that occurs when the ligaments that support an ankle joint are stretched or torn. The most common type of ankle sprain is a lateral ankle sprain, which occurs when the foot is turned inward and rolls outwards as a result of impact or overstretching.
The severity of an ankle sprain can vary depending on the extent of ligament damage. If a person suffers from a severe ankle sprain, they will likely experience swelling and inflammation around the joint, pain in the area where the tear occurred, limited mobility due to discomfort while moving around, bruising in the area surrounding the wound site, and difficulty walking due to instability.
While some people may be able to treat their own ankle sprains at home with ice packs and anti-inflammatory medication, it's recommended that anyone who suffers from an acute ankle sprain seek medical attention immediately so that further damage does not occur during recovery time (such as tendinitis or compartment syndrome).
After an ankle sprain, exercises that are important include ankle range of motion exercises, ankle strengthening exercises, balance and stability training, endurance and agility exercises, and weight shifts. These exercises can help to retrain the ankle muscles to work together to support the joint and to help prevent recurrent sprains.