Ankle sprains
Ankle sprains
Have you sprained your ankle?
Our team of experienced physiotherapists can help you recover from ankle injuries and get you back to your daily routine.
An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle are stretched or torn due to an abnormal twisting or rolling motion of the foot.
This common injury causes pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking.
There are two main types of ankle sprains:
This common injury causes pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking.
There are two main types of ankle sprains:
- Lateral Ankle Sprains: The most common type, involving injury to the ligaments on the outside (lateral side) of the ankle, usually caused by the foot rolling inward (inversion injury).
- High Ankle Sprains (Syndesmotic Sprains): Less common but often more severe, involving the ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula just above the ankle joint. These usually occur from a twisting or external rotation injury.
Common causes of ankle sprains
Ankle sprains can result from:
- Lateral ankle sprains: Sudden inward rolling of the foot, often during running, jumping, or stepping on uneven surfaces.
- High ankle sprains: Twisting or external rotation of the foot and lower leg, commonly in contact sports or during falls.
- Poor balance or muscle weakness around the ankle.
- Previous ankle sprains increasing risk due to instability.
- Fatigue or inadequate warm-up.
- Unsupportive footwear or slippery surfaces.
How we can help treat your ankle sprain
Our physiotherapy treatment is tailored to the type and severity of your ankle sprain, focusing on reducing pain and swelling, restoring movement and strength, and preventing future injuries.
Early Management & Pain Control
Initial care includes compression, elevation, and gentle movement within pain limits to control swelling and maintain joint mobility.
Rehabilitation for Lateral Ankle Sprains
We guide you through progressive range of motion exercises, strengthening, and balance training to restore lateral ankle stability and function.
Research shows supervised rehabilitation reduces recovery time and lowers reinjury risk (Kaminski et al., 2013).
Rehabilitation for High Ankle Sprains
High ankle sprains often require a longer recovery period and a specific rehab approach focusing on restoring the stability of the tibiofibular joint, strength, and gradual return to weight-bearing and sport-specific activities.
Evidence indicates that tailored rehab improves outcomes and reduces long-term complications (Beumer et al., 2020).
Functional & Sport-Specific Training
We tailor rehabilitation to your activity level, incorporating agility, proprioception, and sport-specific drills to prepare you for safe return to play or daily activities.
Education & Injury Prevention
We provide guidance on footwear, taping, bracing, and activity modifications to reduce risk of recurrence.
Early Management & Pain Control
Initial care includes compression, elevation, and gentle movement within pain limits to control swelling and maintain joint mobility.
Rehabilitation for Lateral Ankle Sprains
We guide you through progressive range of motion exercises, strengthening, and balance training to restore lateral ankle stability and function.
Research shows supervised rehabilitation reduces recovery time and lowers reinjury risk (Kaminski et al., 2013).
Rehabilitation for High Ankle Sprains
High ankle sprains often require a longer recovery period and a specific rehab approach focusing on restoring the stability of the tibiofibular joint, strength, and gradual return to weight-bearing and sport-specific activities.
Evidence indicates that tailored rehab improves outcomes and reduces long-term complications (Beumer et al., 2020).
Functional & Sport-Specific Training
We tailor rehabilitation to your activity level, incorporating agility, proprioception, and sport-specific drills to prepare you for safe return to play or daily activities.
Education & Injury Prevention
We provide guidance on footwear, taping, bracing, and activity modifications to reduce risk of recurrence.
Physio for ankle sprains: FAQs
Yes, ankle sprains often involve ligament tears or joint instability. Without rehab, ankle sprains can lead to long-term issues.
Not straight away. Pain relief after an ankle sprain doesn’t always mean full recovery — strength, balance, and proprioception need to be restored.
Not always. Some fractures still allow weight-bearing, so assessment is important.
Short rest can help, but guided rehab (mobility, strength, balance) is key for safe recovery.
With proper rehab, most people regain full function and return to sport after an ankle sprain.
Physiotherapy reduces the risk of recurrent sprains and long-term ankle instability.
No. They provide short-term support without weakening muscles if rehab is ongoing.
Areas We Serve
We provide physiotherapy services to clients with ankle sprains across the Perth northern suburbs. Some of the most common areas we serve include:
Doubleview, Scarborough, Innaloo, Woodlands, Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Osborne Park, City Beach, Floreat, and Trigg.
If you're located nearby and looking for expert ankle sprain care, we're just a short drive away.
Additionally, we provide expert and specialist physiotherapy care to many clients who live in Perth and regional Western Australia – your rehabilitation is our priority and many of our clients are prepared to drive further to receive quality care.
Doubleview, Scarborough, Innaloo, Woodlands, Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Osborne Park, City Beach, Floreat, and Trigg.
If you're located nearby and looking for expert ankle sprain care, we're just a short drive away.
Additionally, we provide expert and specialist physiotherapy care to many clients who live in Perth and regional Western Australia – your rehabilitation is our priority and many of our clients are prepared to drive further to receive quality care.
