What Is an Ankle Sprain?

Ankle Sprains in Athletes: Causes, Treatment, and the Path Back to Peak Performance

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in high-level sports. Despite their frequency, they’re often overlooked or rushed through the rehab process—leaving many athletes with lingering pain, instability, or even recurring sprains. In some cases, ongoing ankle problems can cut an athletic career short. How can we address these injuries more effectively and ensure a safe return to competition?

The Problem of Ankle Sprains in Athletes

In elite sports, an ankle sprain is more than a minor inconvenience: swelling, pain, and instability can keep athletes off the field longer than they expect. Too often, athletes are told to manage the swelling, rest until pain subsides, and then jump back into training. Unfortunately, this approach can be a recipe for disaster if the underlying issues—such as muscle weakness or poor proprioception—are never fully addressed.

Chronic Ankle Instability: Why It Happens

Many athletes who frequently “roll” their ankles have a history of previous sprains. Repeatedly injuring the same ligaments leads to gradual weakening and poor healing. Over time, these athletes develop what’s known as chronic ankle instability, where the ankle joint lacks the strength and stability to handle the demands of cutting, pivoting, and landing.

Proper diagnosis is critical. A thorough physiotherapy assessment checks for soft tissue damage, rules out bony injuries, and confirms that the athlete’s ankle is capable of supporting them safely during high-intensity sports movements.

Muscle Weakness and Poor Balance After Injury

After an ankle sprain, a period of reduced activity or immobilization can cause the supporting muscles around the ankle to weaken. This weakness, combined with poor balance (or proprioception), increases the risk of re-injury. In high-demand sports, strong ankle muscles and sharp neuromuscular control are vital. Without these, athletes who return to play too soon face a far higher risk of rolling their ankles again—potentially causing even more damage.

Effective Rehabilitation for Ankle Sprains

Rehabilitating a lateral ankle sprain isn’t one-size-fits-all. Several factors affect recovery time and approach:

• Sport and Frequency: The type of sport and training schedule (e.g., basketball vs. distance running) changes the stresses on the ankle.

• Severity of the Sprain: Mild sprains may recover in a few weeks, while more severe injuries or those involving additional structures (e.g., tendons, bones) need a longer, more specialized approach.

• Pain Levels: Pain can limit exercise intensity and range of motion, making a well-monitored progression essential.

Regardless of these factors, the key is a personalized plan that transitions you from pain management and gentle mobility exercises to sport-specific drills—ultimately returning you to the highest possible level.

The LIFT Physiotherapy Advantage

At LIFT Physiotherapy, we specialize in helping athletes rehabilitate ankle sprains and other sports injuries using evidence-based principles. Our modern gym-based clinic offers the space and equipment needed to rebuild strength, stability, and confidence. Plus, we provide flexible rehabilitation options right in your sporting environment, bridging the gap between clinical rehab and on-field performance.

Our approach ensures that you return not just pain-free, but stronger and better equipped to handle the rigours of your sport.

Ready to Bounce Back Stronger? Book Your Session Today!

Don’t let an ankle sprain derail your season or career. If you’re dealing with ongoing pain, instability, or simply want expert guidance to prevent future injuries, LIFT Physiotherapy is here to help.

Contact us today to schedule an assessment and discover how our tailored rehabilitation programs can elevate your performance and keep you in the game. We’ll work with you every step of the way—so you can get back to doing what you love, stronger than ever.