Ankle ligament injuries

Ankle Sprain Rehab: Step-by-Step Return to Sport

Written and reviewed by Mr Thomas Hester, Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in foot and ankle surgery, King's College Hospital, London. Last reviewed: November 2026.

Most ankle sprains get better without surgery, but how well they recover depends a lot on the rehab you do. This page sets out a step-by-step programme, with about 12 weeks of structured rehab, to take you from the first painful days back to running and sport. Many people are back to sport within about 3 months, but full recovery, when the ankle feels normal again with no swelling or aching, can take up to 9 months, especially after a severe sprain. It explains how sprains are graded, the exercises for each phase, and the checks that show you are ready to move on.

This programme is general guidance to use alongside a review by Mr Hester or a physiotherapist. It is not a substitute for being examined. Everyone heals at a different speed, so your own plan may be faster or slower.

The ankle ligaments

Ligaments are strong, slightly stretchy bands that hold bones together. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, from a stretch to a complete tear.

On the outside of the ankle, three ligaments run from the end of the fibula (the bony bump on the outside, called the lateral malleolus) to the talus and the calcaneus (heel bone). The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) runs forwards to the talus and is usually the first to be injured when you "roll over" on the outside of your foot. The calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) runs down to the heel bone and is often injured as well in more severe sprains. A third ligament at the back, the posterior talofibular ligament, completes the group.[3]

On the inside of the ankle, the deltoid ligament is a thick, fan-shaped ligament with deep and surface layers. It runs from the medial malleolus (the bump on the inside, at the end of the tibia) to the talus, the heel bone and the navicular. It is injured when the foot is forced outwards (an eversion injury). Injuries to the deltoid ligament on their own are uncommon, around 3–4% of ankle ligament injuries, but it can be injured together with the outside ligaments, the syndesmosis or a fracture.[9]

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

How sprains are graded

Sprains are graded 1 to 3 by how much the ligament is damaged. The grade is easiest to judge a few days after the injury, once the first pain and swelling have eased: examination at 4–5 days is more reliable than on the day of injury. Bruising, tenderness over the ligament and a loose "drawer" test (the clinician gently moves the foot forwards on the leg) suggest a tear.[2]

Outside of the ankle (ATFL and CFL)

Grades as described in clinical guidelines and reviews.[2][20] Recovery times are typical guidance only. Some swelling and stiffness often take months to settle fully.

Inside of the ankle (deltoid ligament)

There is no agreed grading system for a new (acute) deltoid sprain, so the table below describes the grades in plain terms.[9]

The first days

Do I need an X-ray? The Ottawa ankle rules

The Ottawa ankle rules help doctors decide who needs an X-ray to check for a broken bone, and they are very good at ruling out a fracture.[10][11] An X-ray is usually advised if there is pain around the ankle bones or midfoot and any of these:[10]

• tenderness when pressing on the back edge or tip of either ankle bone (the lower 6 cm of the fibula or tibia)
• tenderness over the base of the fifth metatarsal (the bone on the outside edge of the midfoot) or the navicular (the bone on the inside of the midfoot)
• you could not take four steps straight after the injury and still cannot when examined

RICE: what to do in the first few days

For the first 1–3 days, follow RICE, then start using the ankle as soon as pain allows. A short period of protection followed by early movement gives the best recovery.[6][13]

Ice may ease pain, but there is no high-quality evidence that it helps the ligament heal.[12]

Walking with support

Current guidance is to use an external support, such as a brace or tape, and to put weight through the ankle step by step as pain allows. The type of support depends on how bad the sprain is.[2][15] Crutches can help for the first few days if walking is very painful. For severe sprains, a short period in a below-knee cast or a firm brace, for up to about 10 days, may help early recovery.[2][5] Starting gentle exercise in the first week improves ankle function compared with rest alone.[6]

When a "sprain" is something else

Most twisting injuries are ligament sprains, but several other injuries happen in the same way and are easy to mistake for one, sometimes even with a normal X-ray. They need different treatment, so a "sprain" that does not behave like a sprain should be examined again. Clues to look out for:

The whole foot should be examined, not just the ankle, and an injury that is not settling should be looked at again rather than treated as a slow sprain.[3]

Your 12-week map

Rehab is split into five phases. The phases overlap: for example, gentle balance work starts while you are still building strength. The timings below are typical, and deltoid (inside) sprains usually take longer. Move on when you pass the "Ready to move on?" checks for each phase, not just because the weeks have passed.

The 12 weeks cover the main rehab programme, not the whole of recovery. Swelling, aching, stiffness and confidence often keep improving for up to 9 months, and severe sprains may need longer in each phase.

These timings are typical clinical practice, not fixed rules. There is little research on recovery times for deltoid sprains, so their timings are based on expert opinion.[9] Grade 3 deltoid or unstable injuries follow your consultant's plan.

Some swelling can last for up to 12 months, and it often takes months rather than weeks for the ankle to feel normal again.[25][21]

Phase 1

Protection and early movement

Typical timing: days 0–3 (outside, grade 1) up to weeks 0–2 (outside, grade 3, and deltoid).

Goals

• Protect the healing ligament and control swelling
• Walk with support, putting more weight through the foot each day
• Start gentle, pain-free ankle movement

What to avoid

• Outside (lateral) sprain: rolling the foot inwards (inversion), uneven ground, and pointing the toes down and in.
• Inside (deltoid) sprain: forced eversion, that is turning the sole of the foot outwards, and twisting on the foot.
• Long periods of complete rest.

Illustrative images.

Sets, repetitions and frequency in these tables are typical guidance. Your physiotherapist may change them.

Exercise	Sets × reps	How often	Progress by
Ankle alphabet	1–2 full alphabets	2–3 times a day	Making the letters bigger as pain allows
Towel calf stretch	3 × 30-second holds	2–3 times a day	Moving to a standing wall calf stretch (Phase 2)
Gentle isometrics: push the foot against your other foot or a wall, without letting it move, in each comfortable direction	5 × 5–10-second holds per direction	2 times a day	Pushing a little harder. For a deltoid sprain, leave pushing outwards until it is pain-free.
Walking with support	Short, frequent walks	Daily	Reducing crutches, then walking normally heel to toe
Static bike or upper-body exercise	10–20 minutes, pain-free	Daily if comfortable	Gradually increasing time
Seated heel and toe raises	2 × 15 each	2–3 times a day	Slower lowering
Towel scrunch	2 × 10	Daily	Weight on the far end of the towel

Ready to move on to Phase 2?

• Pain at rest is 2 out of 10 or less
• Swelling is going down, not up
• You can walk short distances without crutches, with a near-normal pattern
• You can stand on the injured leg for about 10 seconds, holding on lightly if needed

Phase 2

Range of motion and strength

Typical timing: from a few days after injury (grade 1) to around weeks 1–7 (grade 3 and deltoid).

Goals

• Get back the full upward bend of the ankle (dorsiflexion)
• Strengthen the muscles that control the ankle from side to side
• Rebuild calf strength and walk normally without a limp

What to avoid

• Deltoid sprain: strong eversion work (pushing the foot outwards) until it is pain-free. Start with small, gentle movements.
• Outside sprain: forcing inversion (turning the foot in) into pain.
• Running, jumping and sport.

Heel and toe walking

Walk 10 metres on your heels, toes lifted, then 10 metres on your toes, heels lifted. Use a wall or worktop for support at first. This strengthens the muscles at the front and back of the lower leg.

Illustrative images.

Sets, repetitions and frequency in these tables are typical guidance. Your physiotherapist may change them.

Exercise	Sets × reps	How often	Progress by
Knee-to-wall	2–3 × 10	Daily	Moving the foot further from the wall
Standing wall calf stretch (knee straight, then knee bent)	3 × 30-second holds each	Daily	A deeper, still comfortable stretch
Band eversion	3 × 10–15	Daily, then every other day	A stronger band; slower return
Band inversion	3 × 10–15	Daily, then every other day	A stronger band; slower return
Heel raises	3 × 10–15	Every other day	Both feet → more weight on the injured side → one foot → holding a weight
Step-down	3 × 8–10, slowly	Every other day	A higher step; slower lowering
Static bike	15–30 minutes	3–5 times a week	More resistance or time
Bent-knee calf raise	3 × 15	Every other day	More weight → standing → one leg
Hip lift, then banded side-steps	3 × 12; then 3 × 10 steps each way	Every other day	Stronger band; deeper squat
Bridge → single-leg bridge	3 × 12 → 3 × 8–10	Every other day	Hold longer; one leg
Squat → split squat	3 × 10–12	Every other day	Deeper; hold a weight
Front and side plank	Build to 3 × 30 seconds	3 times a week	From knees to feet; longer holds
Heel and toe walking	4 × 10 metres	Daily	Without support

Ready to move on to Phase 3?

• Pain when walking is 2 out of 10 or less, with no limp
• Little or no swelling at the end of the day
• Knee-to-wall distance within about 2 cm of your other ankle
• 15 single-leg heel raises on the injured side
• Single-leg standing for 30 seconds with your eyes open

Phase 3

Balance and proprioception

Typical timing: from about week 1 (grade 1) or weeks 3–4 (grade 3 and deltoid), lasting several weeks.

Proprioception is your ankle's "position sense": its ability to feel where it is and react quickly. A sprain disturbs this, which is one reason ankles can feel wobbly and sprain again. In one large trial, athletes who did an 8-week home balance programme after their sprain had about a third fewer repeat sprains over the next year.[7]

The trial programme ran for 8 weeks, so aim to finish it.

Goals

• Restore balance and quick reactions on the injured leg
• Control the ankle, knee and hip together on one leg
• Keep building calf and ankle strength

What to avoid

• Hopping and jumping until you pass the Phase 3 checks
• Balance work where the ankle keeps rolling: make it easier instead

Illustrative images.

Sets, repetitions and frequency in these tables are typical guidance. Your physiotherapist may change them.

Exercise	Sets × reps	How often	Progress by
Single-leg balance	3 × 30 seconds	Daily	Eyes closed → head turns → catching a ball
Balance on a soft surface	3 × 30 seconds	Daily	Eyes closed → wobble board
Y-balance reach	3 reaches in each direction, 2 rounds	3–4 times a week	Reaching further; reaching faster
Step-down (continued)	3 × 10, slowly	3 times a week	A higher step; holding a weight
Single-leg heel raises	3 × 15–20	Every other day	Holding a weight; lowering below step level
Balance with head turns, ball or partner	3 × 30 seconds	Daily	Up to 1 minute; harder throws; soft surface
Single-leg reach (RDL)	3 × 8–10, slowly	Every other day	Hold a weight
Cardio: bike, pool or cross-trainer	20–30 minutes	3 times a week	As comfort allows

Ready to move on to Phase 4?

• No pain with walking, stairs or brisk walking, and no increase in swelling after exercise
• Single-leg balance for 30 seconds with your eyes closed, similar to your other leg
• Single-leg heel raises close to your other leg. As a guide, healthy adults typically manage about 21–25 or more in a row.[17][18]
• Y-balance forward reach similar on both legs. In a study of basketball players, a difference of more than 4 cm was linked to a higher risk of leg injury. It is a useful check, but it has not been proven as a return-to-sport test.[16]

Phase 4

Hopping, jumping and agility

Typical timing: from about weeks 2–4 (grade 1) or weeks 6–7 (grade 3 and deltoid).

Plyometric exercises (hops and jumps) train the ankle to absorb and release force quickly, as it must in sport. Start running with the return-to-running plan at the beginning of this phase.

Goals

• Land softly and with control on the injured leg
• Build speed, power and quick changes of direction
• Rebuild confidence in the ankle

What to avoid

• Hopping when tired, as control drops off
• Deltoid sprain: hard side-steps and landings that push the foot outwards, until straight-line hops are easy
• Uneven ground until you are confident on the flat

Illustrative images.

Sets, repetitions and frequency in these tables are typical guidance. Your physiotherapist may change them.

Exercise	Sets × reps	How often	Progress by
Two-footed jumps, then forward hops	3 × 10	2–3 times a week, not on back-to-back days	Two feet → one foot → hopping further → hopping onto a mark
Side-to-side hops	3 × 20 seconds	2–3 times a week	Faster; over a low object
Agility ladder	3–4 patterns × 2–3 rounds	2–3 times a week	More complex patterns; faster
Return-to-running plan	See the table below	Every other day	One stage at a time
Balance and strength work	As in Phase 3	2–3 times a week	Keep going: this helps prevent a repeat sprain
Drop landing	3 × 6	2–3 times a week	Higher step; land on one leg
Lateral bounds	3 × 8 each way	2–3 times a week	Further; faster; shorter pause
Dot drills	3 × 15 seconds	2–3 times a week	Two feet → one foot; new patterns
Cardio: bike, pool or cross-trainer	20–30 minutes	3 times a week	As comfort allows

Ready to move on to Phase 5?

• No pain during hopping and running, and no increase in pain or swelling the day after
• Hop tests (single-leg hop for distance, triple hop and side hop) at least 90% of your other leg
• Jogging continuously for 20–30 minutes without pain
• You feel confident landing and changing direction

How to do the hop tests

Warm up first, wear trainers, and compare the injured leg with the other leg. Take the best of three goes.

• Single hop for distance: stand on one leg, hop forwards as far as you can and land on the same leg, holding the landing for 2 seconds. Measure to the back of the heel.
• Triple hop: three hops in a row on the same leg, as far as you can, then hold the landing.
• Side hop: hop sideways over two lines 30 cm apart; out and back counts as one. Do 10 as quickly as you can and time it.

For the distance hops, divide the injured leg's result by the other leg's and multiply by 100. For the side hop, a lower time is better, so divide the other leg's time by the injured leg's.

Phase 5

Sport-specific return

Typical timing: from about weeks 3–6 (grade 1) to weeks 8–16 or beyond (grade 3 and deltoid).

Goals

• Practise the cutting, turning, jumping and sprinting your sport needs
• Return to full training, then to matches or competition
• Pass the return-to-sport checklist

What to avoid

• Going straight back to matches without full training sessions first
• Stopping your balance exercises once you are back
• Playing without your brace or tape in the first months back (see bracing)

Sport drills

Build in the movements of your sport step by step: cutting and side-stepping, sprinting with sudden stops, jumping and landing, contact, and ball skills. Do them first at lower speed, then at full intensity, then as part of a full training session.

Shuffle, backward run and plant-and-cut

Shuffle sideways for 10 metres without crossing your feet, then run backwards. Then jog forwards, plant your outside foot and change direction. Start at half pace with gentle angles and build to full speed and sharper cuts, off both legs.

Illustrative image.

Sets, repetitions and frequency in these tables are typical guidance. Your physiotherapist may change them.

Exercise	Sets × reps	How often	Progress by
Figure-of-eight running	3–5 laps each direction	2–3 times a week	Tighter loops; faster; on grass
Cutting and side-stepping drills	2–3 sets of 5–6 cuts each side	2–3 times a week	Sharper angles; higher speed; reacting to a call
Sprints with stops	6–8 × 20–30 metres	2 times a week	From about 70% effort up to full speed
Sport skills, then full training	Part of a session → full session	As your training week allows	Non-contact → contact → match
Balance and strength maintenance	10–15 minutes	2–3 times a week	Keep going for at least the rest of the season
Shuffle, backward run, plant-and-cut	4 × 10 metres each; 2–3 × 6 cuts each side	2–3 times a week	Faster; sharper angles; react to a call
Cardio: bike, pool or cross-trainer	20–30 minutes	3 times a week	As comfort allows

Ready to return to sport?

Go through the return-to-sport checklist below with your physiotherapist or Mr Hester.

Your progress checks at a glance

A summary of the checks from each phase. Write your results down every week or two so you can see your progress.

Bracing and taping

For most sprains, support that lets you move is better than keeping the ankle still. Guidelines prefer a brace or tape plus an exercise programme over a cast for most sprains, usually for 4–6 weeks, with any period of immobilisation kept to 10 days at most.[2] In a large UK trial of severe sprains, a 10-day below-knee cast or a brace gave a faster early recovery than a simple tubular bandage, although results were similar by 9 months.[5] For more severe injuries, a firm brace or a short spell in a cast, for up to 10 days, may be advised.[2][15]

For sport, a brace or tape lowers the risk of another sprain. In the evidence reviewed for one guideline, wearing a brace or tape cut repeat sprains by around 70%.[2] In one trial, athletes who wore a semi-rigid brace for all sport for 12 months had fewer repeat sprains (15%) than those who did a home training programme alone (27%).[14] Both bracing and exercise help prevent long-term ankle instability.[8]

Brace or tape?

Both work, and the choice depends on your preference, your sport and your skin.[2] Tape needs to be applied well each time, ideally by someone trained, and it loosens during exercise. A brace can be put on in seconds and reused.

Illustrative image.

Return to running

No running plan has been tested in research specifically for ankle sprains, so the plan below is based on typical clinical practice and expert opinion.

• Run every other day, on a flat, even surface to begin with.
• Move up a stage when the current one feels easy, pain stays at 3 out of 10 or less while running, and there is no extra pain or swelling the next morning.
• If you get pain or swelling, drop back a stage for a session or two.

Return-to-sport checklist

An international group of experts agreed five areas to check before returning to sport after an ankle sprain, known as PAASS.[4] There are no proven pass marks for these yet,[19] so go through them with your physiotherapist or Mr Hester.

Everyday life: driving, work, footwear and travel

Driving

A study of grade 2 and 3 sprains of the right ankle found that braking reaction time was slower at 2 weeks but had returned to normal by 4 weeks.[24] You can drive again when you are out of any boot or brace that gets in the way, you can walk comfortably, and you can do an emergency stop without pain or hesitation. Check with your insurer if you are unsure.

Work

Most people with a desk-based job return within a few days, raising the leg when they can. Jobs with long periods of standing, walking or climbing may need 1–3 weeks after a mild or moderate sprain, and longer after a severe one. Lighter or adjusted duties for a short time can help.

Footwear

Supportive lace-up trainers are the best choice in the early weeks. Avoid high heels, flip-flops and backless shoes until your balance and strength have returned, and take care on uneven ground and on stairs in the dark.

Travel

After a leg injury, long journeys can raise the risk of a blood clot, particularly if you are in a boot or cast or cannot walk normally. On flights or long drives, move your ankles regularly, walk about when you can and drink plenty of water. If you have a severe injury, are immobilised, or have had a clot before, please ask for advice before you travel.

Children and teenagers

In children and teenagers whose bones are still growing, an injury that looks like a sprain can involve the growth plate at the lower end of the fibula. Tenderness over the bone itself, rather than over the ligament, needs a medical assessment.

Preventing a repeat sprain

Having sprained an ankle before raises the chance of spraining it again. Some people still have symptoms a year later, and some go on to have an ankle that keeps giving way (chronic ankle instability).[1][3][21] These steps help:

• Finish the programme. Feeling fine is not the same as being ready. Complete the phases and the checks.
• Keep up balance training. Carry on with your balance exercises two or three times a week, at least for the rest of the season. An 8-week home balance programme reduced repeat sprains in a large trial.[7]
• Brace or tape for sport, especially in sports with jumping, landing and turning.[2][14]
• Warm up properly, including hops and changes of direction, before training and matches. Structured warm-ups such as the FIFA 11+ programme include balance and landing work.
• Wear supportive footwear for your sport, and replace worn-out trainers.
• Get checked if the ankle keeps giving way. Surgery is mainly for ankles that stay unstable despite a full exercise programme.[2]

When to get help

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. Martin RL, Davenport TE, Fraser JJ, et al. Ankle stability and movement coordination impairments: lateral ankle ligament sprains revision 2021. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(4):CPG1–CPG80. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0302
2. Vuurberg G, Hoorntje A, Wink LM, et al. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(15):956. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-098106
3. Delahunt E, Bleakley CM, Bossard DS, et al. Clinical assessment of acute lateral ankle sprain injuries (ROAST): 2019 consensus statement and recommendations of the International Ankle Consortium. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(20):1304–1310. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-098885
4. Smith MD, Vicenzino B, Bahr R, et al. Return to sport decisions after an acute lateral ankle sprain injury: introducing the PAASS framework – an international multidisciplinary consensus. Br J Sports Med. 2021;55(22):1270–1276. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2021-104087
5. Lamb SE, Marsh JL, Hutton JL, et al. Mechanical supports for acute, severe ankle sprain: a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2009;373(9663):575–581. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60206-3
6. Bleakley CM, O'Connor SR, Tully MA, et al. Effect of accelerated rehabilitation on function after ankle sprain: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2010;340:c1964. doi:10.1136/bmj.c1964
7. Hupperets MD, Verhagen EA, van Mechelen W. Effect of unsupervised home based proprioceptive training on recurrences of ankle sprain: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2009;339:b2684. doi:10.1136/bmj.b2684
8. Doherty C, Bleakley C, Delahunt E, Holden S. Treatment and prevention of acute and recurrent ankle sprain: an overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2017;51(2):113–125. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096178
9. Koris J, Calder JDF, Dalmau-Pastor M, Fernandez MA, Ramasamy A. Deltoid ligament injuries: a review of the anatomy, diagnosis and treatments. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2024;32(12):3052–3064. doi:10.1002/ksa.12274
10. Stiell IG, Greenberg GH, McKnight RD, et al. Decision rules for the use of radiography in acute ankle injuries: refinement and prospective validation. JAMA. 1993;269(9):1127–1132. doi:10.1001/jama.269.9.1127
11. Bachmann LM, Kolb E, Koller MT, Steurer J, ter Riet G. Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and mid-foot: systematic review. BMJ. 2003;326(7386):417. doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7386.417
12. Dubois B, Esculier JF. Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(2):72–73. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101253
13. Bleakley CM, Glasgow P, MacAuley DC. PRICE needs updating, should we call the POLICE? Br J Sports Med. 2012;46(4):220–221. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2011-090297
14. Janssen KW, van Mechelen W, Verhagen EA. Bracing superior to neuromuscular training for the prevention of self-reported recurrent ankle sprains: a three-arm randomised controlled trial. Br J Sports Med. 2014;48(16):1235–1239. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092947
15. Megalaa T, Beckenkamp PR, Fong Yan A, Hiller CE. What are the clinical recommendations for the use of ankle braces? A scoping review. JSAMS Plus. 2024;3:100058. doi:10.1016/j.jsampl.2024.100058
16. Plisky PJ, Rauh MJ, Kaminski TW, Underwood FB. Star Excursion Balance Test as a predictor of lower extremity injury in high school basketball players. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(12):911–919. doi:10.2519/jospt.2006.2244
17. Lunsford BR, Perry J. The standing heel-rise test for ankle plantar flexion: criterion for normal. Phys Ther. 1995;75(8):694–698. doi:10.1093/ptj/75.8.694
18. Hébert-Losier K, Wessman C, Alricsson M, Svantesson U. Updated reliability and normative values for the standing heel-rise test in healthy adults. Physiotherapy. 2017;103(4):446–452. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2017.03.002
19. Tassignon B, Verschueren J, Delahunt E, et al. Criteria-based return to sport decision-making following lateral ankle sprain injury: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. Sports Med. 2019;49(4):601–619. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01071-3
20. Petersen W, Rembitzki IV, Koppenburg AG, et al. Treatment of acute ankle ligament injuries: a systematic review. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2013;133(8):1129–1141. doi:10.1007/s00402-013-1742-5
21. van Rijn RM, van Os AG, Bernsen RM, et al. What is the clinical course of acute ankle sprains? A systematic literature review. Am J Med. 2008;121(4):324–331.e6. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2007.11.018
22. Sman AD, Hiller CE, Rae K, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for ankle syndesmosis injury. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(5):323–329. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092787
23. Wagemans J, Bleakley C, Taeymans J, et al. Exercise-based rehabilitation reduces reinjury following acute lateral ankle sprain: a systematic review update with meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2022;17(2):e0262023. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0262023
24. Jeske HC, Hirnsperger C, Perwanger F, et al. Break reaction time after conservatively treated ligament ruptures of the ankle. Injury. 2021;52(8):2463–2468. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2021.02.061
25. Kemler E, van de Port I, Schmikli S, Huisstede B, Hoes A, Backx F. Effects of soft bracing or taping on a lateral ankle sprain: a non-randomised controlled trial evaluating recurrence rates and residual symptoms at one year. J Foot Ankle Res. 2015;8:13. doi:10.1186/s13047-015-0069-6

Call 020 7046 8004. Private clinics at Devonshire Place, Cromwell Road, London Bridge and King Edward VII's Hospital.

This page provides general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. If you have diabetes, reduced sensation or circulation problems in your feet, or sudden severe pain, swelling or redness, please seek medical advice promptly.