{"id":276326,"date":"2026-04-27T12:34:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=276326"},"modified":"2026-04-27T12:52:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:52:52","slug":"bone-health-sprained-ankle-what-is-it-causes-symptoms-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/bone-health-sprained-ankle-what-is-it-causes-symptoms-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Sprained Ankle: What Is It, Causes, Symptoms & More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

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Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
What is a Sprained Ankle?<\/a><\/li>
Types of Ankle Sprains<\/a><\/li>
Grades of Sprained Ankle<\/a><\/li>
Causes of Sprained Ankle<\/a><\/li>
Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle<\/a><\/li>
Risk Factors<\/a><\/li>
Diagnosis of Sprained Ankle<\/a><\/li>
How to Manage a Sprained Ankle at Home?<\/a><\/li>
Treatment for Sprained Ankle (in case of serious injury)<\/a><\/li>
How to Prevent Ankle Sprains?<\/a><\/li>
When to See a Doctor?<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHave you ever felt a sudden twist or a sharp pain in your leg while walking on an uneven road, running, or while playing sports? Sprained ankles are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries which commonly occur in physically active individuals 1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While these are often classified as minor injuries, improper or delayed management may lead to pain, and a higher risk of repeated sprains. In this blog, we will understand what is a sprained ankle, the causes of a sprained ankle, the symptoms you may face and sprained ankle treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What is a Sprained Ankle?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA sprained ankle, one of the most common injuries in athletes, occurs when the ligaments in the ankle joint of your legs are stretched or torn. This may lead to pain and a restricted range of movements 2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These injuries commonly occur when your ankle twists too far inward or outward, putting more force on the ligaments. These movements may cause your ligaments to stretch, partially tear, or completely tear 1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Types of Ankle Sprains<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBased on the ligaments involved, the types of ankle sprains include 1<\/a>,3<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Lateral Ankle Sprain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"lateral$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
This is the most common type of ankle sprain occurring due to inversion of the foot (inward turning of foot) which places excessive stress on the lateral ligament complex, particularly the anterior talofibular ligament, which is the most frequently injured ligament, followed by the calcaneofibular ligament. The posterior talofibular ligament is rarely injured except in severe trauma. It is found that injuries to the lateral ligament complex of the ankle occur in about 1 in 10,000 people per day, accounting for 25% of all injuries in athletes 4<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Medial Ankle Sprain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"medial$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
A medial ankle sprain results from eversion (outward turning) of the foot leading to injury of the deltoid ligament complex on the medial (inward) side of the ankle. These are relatively less common compared to lateral sprains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmotic Ankle Sprain)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"high$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
A high ankle sprain involves injury to the distal tibiofibular ligaments, which stabilize the tibia and fibula above the ankle joint. High ankle sprains are less common and are often associated with long recovery periods 5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Combined or Complex Ankle Sprain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"complex$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
These types of ankle sprains occur when more than one ligament group is injured simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Grades of Sprained Ankle<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSprained ankles are graded based on their severity into 3 grades 1<\/a>,6<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grade<\/td> Description<\/td> Symptoms<\/td><\/tr>
Grade I (Mild)<\/td> Involves slight stretching of your ligament and may involve microscopic tears<\/td> Mild pain and mild swelling.<\/td><\/tr>
Grade II
(Moderate)<\/td> Involves a partial or incomplete ligament tear<\/td> Moderate pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness over the affected area.<\/td><\/tr>
Grade III
(Severe)<\/td> Involves a complete tear of one or more ligaments.<\/td> Severe pain with widespread swelling and bruising.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Hence, identifying the grade of an ankle sprain can help you to determine the right sprained ankle treatment approach, recovery time, and understand whether immobilisation or surgery may be required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Causes of Sprained Ankle<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A sprained ankle occurs when the ankle rolls in an abnormal direction, overstretching or damaging the supporting ligaments causing your foot to twist downward and inward. Common ankle sprain causes include^{7<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>}
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