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Dr. Chrysoula I. Liakou MD, PhD
- Treated online: Yes, for most sprains: a doctor assesses the ankle on camera and tells you when you need an X-ray.
- First 2 to 3 days: protect it, rest it, ice it for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, use a supportive bandage by day, and keep it raised.
- Recovery: most sprains feel better after 2 weeks, but avoid running and other strenuous exercise for up to 8 weeks.
- X-ray needed: if the bony points of the ankle or foot are tender, or you cannot take 4 steps, which can mean a fracture.
- Emergency: call 112 or go to an emergency department if you heard a crack, the ankle is misshapen, or the foot is numb, cold, blue or grey.
Do not book a video appointment if you heard a crack when you injured your ankle, the ankle has changed shape or points at an odd angle, a bone is sticking out, the foot is numb or tingling, or the skin is blue, grey or cold. Go to an emergency department or call 112, and do not drive yourself.
Can an online doctor treat a sprained ankle?
Yes, for most sprains. A doctor can watch you move and walk on camera, guide you to press on the bony points of the ankle and foot, and check the signs that point to a fracture: the same checks emergency doctors use to decide who needs an X-ray. If those signs are present, the doctor tells you where to get an X-ray. If not, you leave with a recovery plan.
How an online consultation helps with a sprained ankle
- Fracture signs checked: Tender bones and being unable to take four steps are the signs that decide who needs an X-ray, and the doctor goes through them with you.
- The ankle seen on camera: Swelling, bruising and how the ankle moves and takes your weight show how severe the sprain is.
- Pain relief that suits you: Paracetamol, or ibuprofen as a gel or tablets, chosen after the doctor checks your other medicines and conditions.
- A plan back to walking and sport: When to walk normally again, and when to return to running, hiking or skiing.
What the doctor checks in an online sprained ankle consultation
The consultation follows a fixed order, and the emergency signs come first. The doctor asks about:
- Emergency signs: a crack at the time of injury, a misshapen ankle, numbness, or a cold, blue or grey foot.
- How it happened: how the ankle turned, and whether you could walk straight afterwards.
- Fracture signs: tenderness when you press on the bony points of the ankle and foot, and whether you can take four steps.
- Swelling and bruising: how large they are, and whether they are getting worse.
- Your health: earlier ankle injuries, long-term conditions, and the medicines you take.
Before the call, sit where you can rest your foot in view of the camera, with room to take a few steps if you can.
Sprained ankle symptoms
A sprain is a twisted or torn ligament, one of the tough bands that hold a joint together, and the ankle is one of the most common places for it. A sprained ankle usually causes:
- pain, tenderness or weakness around the ankle
- swelling or bruising
- difficulty putting weight on the foot or walking normally
- a feeling that the ankle is unstable or may give way
- muscle spasms or cramping
Most sprains affect the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, after the foot rolls inwards in a fall, an awkward landing or a step on uneven ground.
A strain is different: it is an overstretched or torn muscle, often called a pulled muscle. The first aid is the same.
Is my ankle sprained or broken?
A sprain and a fracture can look alike: both cause pain, swelling and bruising. Doctors use the Ottawa ankle rules to decide who needs an X-ray. An X-ray is needed if:
- the back edge or the tip of either ankle bone is tender when pressed
- the bone on the outer edge of the foot near the little toe, or the bone on the inner side of the midfoot, is tender when pressed
- you could not take four steps straight after the injury, and still cannot when you are examined
These rules are very good at ruling a fracture out. In a review of studies covering more than 15,000 people, they picked up 96 to 100% of fractures, so when none of the signs is present, a fracture is very unlikely and an X-ray can usually be avoided.
Signs that point more strongly to a broken ankle include severe pain, large swelling or bruising, pain when you put weight on it, and stiffness. A crack at the time of injury, a misshapen ankle or a numb foot needs an emergency department.
Sprained ankle first aid: the first 2 to 3 days
For the first 2 to 3 days, follow the PRICE steps:
- Protect the ankle with a support or supportive shoes.
- Rest: stop exercising, and avoid putting weight on it.
- Ice: apply an ice pack, or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel, for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
- Compression: wrap a bandage around the ankle for support during the day.
- Elevation: keep it raised on a pillow as much as possible.
What to avoid in the first few days
- heat, such as hot baths and heat packs
- alcohol
- massage
- running and other strenuous exercise, for up to 8 weeks, because of the risk of further damage
Should you walk on a sprained ankle?
Yes, as the pain allows. Cut down on walking for the first few days, but putting weight on the ankle early helps a sprain heal more quickly, which is why most people with a sprain are not given crutches. Walk as normally as you can, heel first, in flat shoes and away from uneven ground.
Why moving the ankle matters
A European evidence-based guideline found no evidence that rest, ice, compression and elevation alone improve pain, swelling or function, and recommends early movement and exercise. Do gentle exercises 3 to 4 times a day from the first days: pull the foot up and hold for 5 seconds, point it away and hold for 5 seconds, turn the sole inwards and then outwards, and scrunch a towel towards you with your toes.
How long does a sprained ankle take to heal?
Recovery depends on how badly the ligament is damaged:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Injury | Usual recovery | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Most sprains | Feel better after about 2 weeks | PRICE first, then build up walking as the pain allows |
| The ligament itself | Usually heals in about 4 to 6 weeks | Ankle exercises 3 to 4 times a day |
| Return to running and sport | Up to 8 weeks | A gradual return, once the ankle is strong, moves fully and has no pain or swelling |
| Severe sprains | Can take months | A brace or tape for 4 to 6 weeks, and physiotherapy |
| Broken ankle | Usually 6 to 8 weeks to heal, sometimes longer | A boot, a cast or surgery, then physiotherapy |
Swelling can take several months to disappear completely, and some people feel discomfort for up to 12 months. No treatment heals a sprain overnight. If the ankle is taking longer than usual to recover, physiotherapy can help, and in many places you can refer yourself.
When should you worry about a sprained ankle?
When the signs point to a fracture or a bad tear, or when recovery stalls:
- Straight away: you cannot take four steps, the bony points are tender, or the foot is numb, cold or blue.
- In the first days: pain, swelling or bruising that is severe or getting worse.
- After 4 weeks: no clear improvement in the pain or in how well you walk.
- Weeks later: an ankle that keeps giving way.
If the doctor suspects a badly torn ligament, a second check 4 to 5 days after the injury, when the swelling has settled, gives the most accurate answer.
Why do ankles keep giving way, and how to prevent another sprain
Because a sprain can leave the ankle unstable. Up to 40% of people develop chronic ankle instability after a sprain, and one to four years later, 3% to 34% have sprained the same ankle again.
- Brace or tape: in the European guideline’s analysis, a brace or tape cut the risk of another sprain by about 70%.
- Exercise: an exercise programme after a sprain cut the risk of another one by about 38%.
Which sprained ankle treatment might the doctor recommend?
Treatment depends on whether a fracture is possible and how the ankle is recovering. This is the framework the doctors use, in line with NHS guidance and the Ottawa ankle rules.
Swipe sideways to compare →
| What you have | Likely first step | Suitable for online care? | When in-person care is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| A sprain with no fracture signs | PRICE, pain relief and a plan to return to walking | Yes | Not usually needed |
| Tender ankle bones, or unable to take four steps | An X-ray to check for a fracture | Partly | For the X-ray |
| Severe pain, or swelling and bruising that are large or increasing | An urgent assessment, and possibly an X-ray | Yes, to assess | If you cannot put any weight on it |
| No better after self-care, or very stiff | A review, and physiotherapy | Yes | For an examination or imaging if needed |
| An ankle that keeps giving way weeks later | Exercises, and a brace or tape for sport | Yes | Physiotherapy, or a specialist if it continues |
| A crack at injury, a misshapen ankle, or a numb, cold or blue foot | Emergency assessment | No | Go to an emergency department or call 112 |
Not sure if your ankle is sprained or broken? A doctor can tell you in one consultation whether you need an X-ray.
See available times →Treatment options for a sprained ankle
What you can do yourself
- Follow the PRICE steps for the first 2 to 3 days.
- Take paracetamol for the pain, and use ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray for the swelling; ibuprofen tablets can be added if needed.
- Ibuprofen does not suit everyone, including people with a stomach ulcer, kidney problems or heart failure, so ask a pharmacist.
- After the first days, build up walking as the pain allows.
Prescription treatment
A prescription is never issued without a consultation. Most sprains need only pharmacy pain relief. If you cannot take ibuprofen, or the pain is not controlled, the doctor can suggest other options; controlled painkillers are not prescribed through online consultations. If you need an X-ray or physiotherapy, the doctor tells you where to go. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
What does not help
Heat, alcohol and massage are best avoided in the first days. Going back to running or sport too early raises the risk of further damage.
Special situations
A sprain on holiday
Hiking, skiing, beaches and cobbled streets make ankle sprains common on holiday. Rest the ankle for the first days, and keep it raised on the journey home. If you need to fly with a cast, a boot or a fracture, check your airline’s rules with the fit-to-fly checker. Other holiday health problems are covered on the travel illnesses page.
Sport and running
Return gradually, once the ankle is strong and stable. Other sports injuries are covered on the sports injuries page.
Diabetes or poor circulation
Injuries to the foot and ankle need closer attention, so see a doctor rather than waiting.
Children
Mobi Doctor consultations are for adults aged 18 and over. A child who is unwell needs a paediatrician or a local doctor in person, and emergency signs in a child mean 112.
When a sprained ankle is treated online, and when you need in-person care
Treated online: ankle sprains without fracture signs, pain relief, recovery and return-to-sport plans, and sprains that are slow to heal.
In-person care: X-rays when fracture signs are present, a misshapen or numb ankle, open wounds, and physiotherapy.
When to get in-person care
Call 112 or go to an emergency department now for:
- a crack heard when the injury happened
- an ankle that has changed shape or points at an odd angle, or a bone sticking out
- a foot or ankle that is numb, tingling or has pins and needles
- skin that is blue, grey or cold to the touch, or a bad cut over the ankle
Get medical advice the same day for:
- pain that is severe or getting worse
- swelling or bruising that is large or increasing
- not being able to put any weight on it, or walk more than a few steps
- a very high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery
How Mobi Doctor works
- Book a time that suits you: daily 7am–11pm CEST. You can see a doctor over video, usually within 15 minutes. No subscription, and the exact price is shown before you pay.
- Speak to a licensed doctor about your ankle: show the ankle on camera, say how you injured it, and take a few steps if you can.
- Leave with a plan: what to do, what to take and for how long, and which signs mean you should be seen in person. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
No sign-up needed
Not sure it’s a sprained ankle? Tick every symptom you have to see each condition page that mentions it. It finds the right page, not a diagnosis: a doctor gives you that on a video call.
Tap the body — an area or a point — to browse symptoms anywhere
Similar symptoms, different condition? Sports injuries can start the same way. Compare them, or look up any other symptom in the full symptom checker.
Frequently asked questions about a sprained ankle
How do I know if my ankle is sprained or broken?
Both cause pain, swelling and bruising. A fracture is more likely if the bony points of the ankle or foot are tender when pressed, or you could not take four steps after the injury and still cannot. A crack at the time of injury or a misshapen ankle needs an emergency department.
How long does a sprained ankle take to heal?
Most sprains feel better after about 2 weeks. Avoid running and other strenuous exercise for up to 8 weeks, and a severe sprain can take months. A broken ankle usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal.
What is the best treatment for a sprained ankle at home?
For the first 2 to 3 days after a sprained ankle, protect it, rest it, apply ice for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, use a supportive bandage during the day, and keep it raised. Paracetamol eases the pain, and ibuprofen gel or tablets help the swelling.
Should I walk on a sprained ankle?
Yes, as the pain allows. Cut down on walking and rest it for the first 2 to 3 days, but putting some weight on it early helps a sprain heal, which is why most people are not given crutches. If you cannot put any weight on it or walk more than a few steps, get it checked.
How long does a sprained ankle stay swollen?
Swelling goes down over weeks, but it can take several months to disappear completely, and some people feel discomfort for up to 12 months. Get the ankle checked if pain and walking are not clearly better after 4 weeks.
Can you heal a sprained ankle overnight?
No. A sprained ligament takes weeks to heal: most sprains feel better after about 2 weeks, and the ligament usually heals in 4 to 6 weeks. PRICE for the first days, walking as the pain allows and simple ankle exercises get you moving fastest.
Should I use ice or heat on a sprained ankle?
Ice. On a sprained ankle, apply an ice pack or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Avoid heat, such as hot baths and heat packs, in the first few days.
Why does my ankle keep giving way after a sprain?
A sprain can leave the ligaments loose and the muscles around the ankle weak, and up to 40% of people develop chronic ankle instability. Ankle and balance exercises, and a brace or tape for sport, lower the risk of another sprain.
Do I need an X-ray for a sprained ankle?
Only if the signs suggest a fracture: tenderness over the bony points of the ankle or foot, or being unable to take four steps. When none of these is present, a fracture is very unlikely.
When should I worry about a sprained ankle?
See a doctor if the pain is severe or getting worse, the swelling is large or increasing, you cannot put weight on the ankle, it is very stiff, it is not clearly better after 4 weeks, or it keeps giving way. Go to an emergency department if you heard a crack or the ankle looks misshapen.
Can I fly with a sprained ankle?
Usually yes with a sprain, though a swollen ankle can be uncomfortable on a long flight. If you have a cast, a boot or a fracture, check your airline’s rules before you fly, as some ask for a certificate.
Can an online doctor treat a sprained ankle?
Yes, for most sprains. A doctor can assess the ankle on camera, go through the checks that decide whether you need an X-ray, and give you a plan for pain relief and recovery. If a fracture is likely, the doctor tells you where to get an X-ray.
- Sprains and strains, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 23 April 2024.
- Broken ankle, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 5 November 2025.
- Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and mid-foot: systematic review, Bachmann LM et al., BMJ, 2003.
- Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline, Vuurberg G et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2018.
- Ankle sprain advice, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, October 2025.
- Discharge advice following attendance with an ankle sprain, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, July 2022.
- Sprained ankle, Healthdirect Australia, reviewed November 2024.
- Sprained ankle: symptoms and causes, Mayo Clinic, 19 June 2026.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Guideline links are provided for transparency; treatment decisions are made with your doctor.
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