How soon can I get back to sport?

For a mild sprain, often two to four weeks, but it should be decided by testing rather than by the calendar. We use hop and balance tests against your other side, because returning on pain alone is what produces the repeat injury.

For short-term comfort, it is fine. It does not speed healing, and there is reasonable evidence that heavy icing slows the early inflammatory work the tissue needs. Compression, elevation and early gentle movement do more.

Ankle sprain and strain treatment in Las Vegas

What to do
in the first few days.

If you rolled an ankle or pulled something in the last few days, the question is whether this needs imaging and what you should be doing right now. Both have clearer answers than the internet suggests. After a sprain, the ankle's position sense takes longer to recover than the pain does.

Book appointment (702) 389-1950

A physical therapist kneeling beside a woman in a split stance as she reaches both arms forward

The first 72 hours

Keep moving the joint gently within a range that does not sharpen the pain
Use compression early, and elevate when you can
Load it as soon as it tolerates weight, even partially
Avoid complete rest and avoid pushing into sharp pain, both slow you down

A physical therapist passing a medicine ball to a patient beside a plyometric box

When it needs imaging first

Bony tenderness in specific spots, inability to take four steps, or an obvious deformity are the signs that warrant an X-ray before anything else. We check those at the first visit. Most sprains do not meet them.

Why the same ankle keeps rolling

People return to sport when it stops hurting, which is weeks before the balance and reaction work is done. That gap is why the second sprain is so common, and it is avoidable.

Frequently asked questions

How soon can I get back to sport?
For a mild sprain, often two to four weeks, but it should be decided by testing rather than by the calendar. We use hop and balance tests against your other side, because returning on pain alone is what produces the repeat injury.
Should I use ice?
For short-term comfort, it is fine. It does not speed healing, and there is reasonable evidence that heavy icing slows the early inflammatory work the tissue needs. Compression, elevation and early gentle movement do more.

More in performance physical therapy: foot and ankle pain physical therapy; return to sport testing and rehab; tendinopathy and tendonitis rehab; and sports injury rehabilitation.

Ankle sprain and strain treatment for patients from Las Vegas, Spring Valley, North Las Vegas, Summerlin South, Summerlin and Summerlin West, at our clinic at 7381 Prairie Falcon Rd, Ste 110, Las Vegas.

Book a free 15-minute call