Almost everybody sprains an ankle at some point, and almost everybody stops rehabilitating it as soon as it stops hurting. That is why the single strongest predictor of spraining an ankle is having sprained it before.
The pain and swelling of a mild to moderate sprain usually settle over a few weeks. The balance, the control and the automatic reactions that stop the ankle rolling take considerably longer to return, and they do not come back on their own just because you can walk comfortably again.
More information
Do I need an X-ray
Not always. Clinicians use a set of criteria, known as the Ottawa ankle rules, to decide, and they are reliable. Broadly, an X-ray is indicated if you cannot bear weight at all, or if there is bony tenderness in specific places around the ankle and foot. We will assess that at the first appointment and send you for imaging if it is warranted.
What rehabilitation involves
Early on, settling swelling and restoring movement, and getting you walking normally rather than limping, because a limp that persists creates its own problems. Then strength, then the part that matters most, which is balance and proprioception work. That is the training that restores the ankle's ability to react before you consciously notice you have stepped awkwardly.
Balance training after an ankle sprain is well supported by evidence as a way of reducing the risk of a repeat sprain, and it is the part almost universally skipped.
Recurrent sprains and instability
If your ankle has gone several times, or gives way on uneven ground, that is treatable rather than something you have to live with. It usually responds to the strength and balance work that never happened after the first sprain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an X-ray after spraining my ankle?
Why do I keep spraining the same ankle?
How long does an ankle sprain take to heal?
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