At a glance

• Protect the ankle and reduce painful loading during the early phase.
• Begin gentle movement and weight bearing gradually as advised.
• Rebuild strength and balance before returning to higher-risk activity.

Early care

• Use relative rest: avoid movements that sharply worsen pain while continuing safe, comfortable movement.
• Apply a wrapped cold pack for short periods if helpful; never place ice directly on skin.
• Compression and elevation may reduce swelling if comfortable and correctly fitted.
• Use braces, crutches and pain medicines only as advised, and check circulation and skin regularly.

Build function in stages

• Progress from comfortable walking to ankle movement, calf strength, balance and then sport-specific tasks.
• A small amount of discomfort can occur, but increasing pain, swelling or instability means the progression needs review.
• Physiotherapy can help after a more severe sprain, repeated sprains or difficulty regaining confidence and function.

When to book a GP review

• Pain or swelling is severe, worsening or focused over a bone.
• You cannot take several steps, or pain remains significant after the initial period.
• The foot becomes numb, unusually cold, pale or blue, or a brace causes pressure injury.

Review progress

• Arrange review if weight bearing remains difficult or function is not steadily improving.
• Seek reassessment for persistent swelling, catching, locking, giving way or repeated injury.
• Return to sport when movement, strength and balance are adequate for the activity, not by time alone.

Emergency advice

Attend urgent care or an emergency department for obvious deformity, an open wound over the injury, loss of circulation or sensation, uncontrolled pain after major trauma, or another severe injury.

Rochedale Family Practice is not an emergency service.