Ankle Sprain

The severity of an ankle sprain varies depending on which ligaments are affected and how they were damaged. The majority of ankle sprains involve injury to the ligaments on the outside of the ankle—this is called a lateral ankle sprain. Medial ankle sprains—damage to the ligaments on the inside of the ankle—are less common. The severity of a sprained ankle is graded from 1 to 3.

• Grade 1 ankle sprains occur from minimal stretching of the ligaments and cause minor pain and swelling, but usually no major bruising or joint instability. Typically, grade 1 ankle sprains heal within 1-3 weeks. With a grade 1 ankle sprain, you can walk without too much difficulty.
• Grade 2 ankle sprains result from partial tearing of the ligaments and cause moderate pain, swelling, and tenderness. Tearing can range from very tiny to almost completely through the ligament. These sprains usually cause bruising and swelling because the tearing into the ligament bleeds into the surrounding tissues, which may cause you to lose some range of motion in the ankle. Walking or bearing weight can become painful. You may see a bruising pattern that forms a horseshoe shape around the heel or experience puffiness, soreness, and bruising on the top of the foot. Bruising often makes the injury look worse than it actually is.
• Grade 3 ankle sprains occur when the ligament tears completely. This tearing causes pain, swelling, and bruising, and makes it difficult to bear any weight. You’ll also notice instability because the ligament is no longer holding the portion of the ankle joint together. Grade 3 ankle sprains can take up to several months to heal and are the most severe type of ankle sprain.