Ankle Sprain Recovery: When Can My Young Athlete Get Back in the Game?

Your young athlete is eager to get back to the game after an ankle sprain, but you want to make sure they’re truly ready. Ankle sprains are common sports injuries, and while they may seem minor, too much activity too soon can worsen the injury and prolong recovery.

At A&U Family Medicine in Sugar Land, Texas, Dr. Hammad Zaidi understands your concern about your child returning to play after they sprain their ankle. Sports medicine and sports-related injuries is one of Dr. Zaidi’s specialties. Here, we explain the stages of ankle sprain recovery, signs that your athlete is ready to get back in the game, and steps to prevent future injuries.

About ankle sprains

A sprained ankle means the ligaments that connect bones that make up the ankle joint are overstretched. It’s a common injury in sports that require quick on-the-foot movement or jumping, such as football, volleyball, and basketball. 

Sprains may be mild with tiny tears in the ligament or severe where there’s a complete tear. But any type of sprain makes the ankle joint unstable, increasing risk of reinjury when left untreated.

The healing process

Recovery from an ankle sprain depends on the severity of the injury, ranging from three weeks for a mild sprain to six months for a severe sprain. However, treatment for healing is similar for all ankle sprains and goes through three phases:

Phase 1

The first phase focuses on managing the initial injury, immobilizing and resting the injured joint to reduce risk of further damage and icing to minimize pain and swelling. We recommend crutches during phase 1 to limit weight bearing on the injured ankle.

Phase 2

Rest is an important part of the recovery process, but we do incorporate activity early to reduce stiffening. This includes stretching and range of motion exercises as well as balancing activities for the ankle.

Phase 3

As the ankle improves, we gradually reintroduce pre-injury activities. For young athletes with a sprained ankle, we guide them through motions that gently twist and turn the ankle, slowly working up to jumps and pivots. 

We may move quickly through each phase of the healing process for a mild ankle sprain, but more serious sprains may require several weeks of treatment. 

Signs that your athlete is ready

Keeping your child safe from injury is our goal with ankle sprain recovery. We give them the OK to return to their sport once they regain strength, flexibility, and stability in their ankle.

Their readiness for getting back in the game depends on how they progress through the healing process. We want to make sure that their ankle is strong before sending them onto the field. 

If they return to play before their ankle is ready, they’re at risk of another sprain. Spraining the ankle too many times weakens the joint and may cause chronic ankle instability, where the ankle constantly gives out. 

Preventing future injuries

Making sure your child is fully healed from their ankle sprain is essential for preventing future injuries. We also recommend that they continue their ankle strengthening exercises to improve joint health. Wearing supportive shoes and warming up before practice and games also reduces risk of another sports injury.

Sports injuries are common in young athletes, and they often require medical care to ensure proper healing. If your child has an ankle sprain or any other sports injury, Dr. Zaidi and his team can provide the care they need. Call A&U Family Medicine at 281-895-7703 today or book an appointment online.