Understanding Ankle Sprains and Strains: What You Need to Know

Ankle sprains and strains are among the most common injuries affecting athletes and everyday movers alike. While they share some symptoms, these two conditions involve different tissues, and understanding the difference is key to proper recovery and prevention.

Here’s a guide to what the ankle does, how these injuries occur, what symptoms to look for, and how they’re treated.

Why the Ankle Matters

Your ankle is a complex joint made of bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons that help you move, balance, and absorb impact.
It supports up to 1.5x your body weight when walking and up to 8x when running or jumping.

When this joint twists or turns beyond its normal range of motion, it’s vulnerable to injury.

How Ankle Injuries Happen

Sprains occur when the ligaments that stabilize your ankle are overstretched or torn; often from a sudden twist, misstep, or awkward landing.
Strains, on the other hand, involve the muscles or tendons being overstretched or torn, usually from overuse or repetitive motion (think long distance running or repeated jumping).

Recognising the Symptoms

Common signs include:

• Pain, tenderness, or swelling around the ankle

• Bruising or stiffness

• Difficulty bearing weight or moving normally

• A feeling of instability or “giving way”

If untreated, repeated injuries can lead to chronic ankle instability.

Diagnosis

A clinician may perform:

• A physical exam to assess movement, swelling, and pain points

• Imaging (X-ray or MRI) to rule out fractures or severe tissue damage

• A review of injury history to identify underlying instability or overuse

Treatment Options

Conservative (Non-Surgical)
Most ankle sprains and strains heal well with:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE)

• Physical therapy to restore strength and balance

• Supportive bracing or taping during recovery

• Gradual return to activity to prevent re-injury

Surgical Options
Surgery is rarely needed but may be considered if severe ligament damage or chronic instability persists.

Recovery & Prevention

Rehabilitation focuses on:

• Restoring full range of motion

• Strengthening ankle and calf muscles

• Balance and proprioception training

• Proper footwear and warm-up before activity

To prevent future sprains and strains:

• Strengthen your ankle and core

• Avoid uneven surfaces when fatigued

• Support previously injured ankles during sport

We’re Here to Help

At Chiro & Sports Med, we help patients recover from ankle injuries safely and effectively — from early treatment to full return-to-sport rehab.
Whether you’ve rolled your ankle recently or struggle with ongoing instability, our team can create a tailored recovery plan for you.

📞 Call (02) 9817 2005 or Book Online to get started today.