I sprained my ankle a month ago while playing badminton. It was really bad, couldn't walk for few days, but generally no big deal. It's already a month now, I can easily walk and play badminton now but I still feel that the ankle has not fully healed yet as I can feel some sore and pain whenever I jump.
If I press on the ankle i can still feel a slight sore. My question is, does a sprained ankle take that long to heal? It's like I'm 90% healed within a week, but doesn't seem to get to a stage where is 100% healed even 3 weeks after that.

Anyone with experience with a sprained ankle?

maybe u injured it more severe than expected. i once "sprained" my ankle. turns out i tore my tendons. was out of action for 3 months.

better get it checked and dont do sports just yet. u may be making it worst by forcing urself playing badminton.

seek professional advise. here's a tip - if u press on the swelling, and it hurts, means its not fully healed yet.

Rest longer.
Try rest like 3 months maybe,.

[quote=Drian,Jun 10 2012, 07:23 PM]
I sprained my ankle a month ago while playing badminton. It was really bad, couldn't walk for few days, but generally no big deal. It's already a month now, I can easily walk and play badminton now but I still feel that the ankle has not fully healed yet as I can feel some sore and pain whenever I jump.
If I press on the ankle i can still feel a slight sore. My question is, does a sprained ankle take that long to heal? It's like I'm 90% healed within a week, but doesn't seem to get to a stage where is 100% healed even 3 weeks after that.

Complete healing will take at least 10-16 weeks depending on your body,diet and exercise. You should not strain your ankle and apply pressure on it as it is still fragile. Let it heal and do some light exercise which gives minimum exercises. You can check the exercises online for strengthening your ankle post sprain. It has nothing to with the tendon as u can walk, if its the matter of tendon, u will be practically crawling

Do use ankle guard for time being to protect your ankle from being sprained again, just for precaution. Hope it helps

Here is the treatment protocol for ankle sprain, BUT only after xray to rule out any hairline fracture and if examination (by a doctor) suspects tendon tear, then MRI of ankle would be done to rule out any tendon injury (i.e. tear).
and if 100% sure its ankle sprain, around 2-3 weeks of immobilization, at least first week non-weight bearing, then the rest other 2 weight bearing is fine but still complete immobilization.. they may use compressive bandage only (if mild sprain). In more severe case they would prescribe orthopaedic walking boot or cast, or tight compressive bandage with slab..

But one thing for sure, immobilization in neutral position for 2-3 weeks depending on the severity, and at least 1 week non-weight bearing..


Ok, now back to ur case, try not to play any sport or at least stop running for one more week, try to give it a proper rest as much as possible, then if the pain persists ( as in not reducing) after one week go and see a doctor, most probably some bone, cartilage or tendon injury had happened when u sprained ur ankle...

Hope this helps.. good luck

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Added on June 11, 2012, 12:18 pmAnd I hope I can get as much people's attention as possible here... cause wat am about to say is for ur own good

Please do not think any joint sprain will reduce or heal on its own, so dont have to go and see a doctor... It is proven that inproper treated sprains will definitely lead to early onset osteoarthritis in life..

"Inadequately treated ankle sprains can result in chronic lateral ankle instability, disabling pain, and the early onset of osteoarthritis." This is a direct quote from Orthop Rev. 1994 Jun;23(6):504-10.
Lateral ankle sprains. Part II: Acute and chronic treatment.

And for osteoarthritis, the only end treatment is joint replacement.. So hope everyone is taking care of their own joints

This post has been edited by john2986: Jun 11 2012, 12:18 PM

took me 2 months to be pain free.....

2 months? did u see the doctor for tat? or did u just leave it to heal on its own?

I need to do squat in order for my knee to fully recovered from sprain.

Ok , from the replies here, it does show it takes anywhere from 8-16 weeks for it to fully heal...... Thanks a lot.

If you know what is the cause of the pain. Unless you go to the doctor and have your ankle being x-rayed, you wouldn't know what is the problem. If is crack, and by not put a cast on it, it may not be heal at all since you are putting the pressure on your ankle 24/7. Do consult with a doctor. You have a long years to live...

Mine took about three months, according to Chinese doctor, its normal

Same to me too

I sprained my ankle 3 months ago and I can still feel the pain..You can try using the ice pack to relieve the pain.=))..and try to jog lightly..(it helps at least for me) =))..

you will need to 'exercise' your ankle as soon as 1 week after your injury.... move it at all directions unless it hurts....

1. Always put ointment before sleep . (In Malay, they said it prevent urat from masuk angin )

2. Wear ankle support, which provide compression.

3. Exercise your ankle regularly to make the muscle around your ankle stronger and prevent injury in future .

4. The pain after heal is just normal. You will feel it, and it will dissapear slowly.

I sprained my ankle on December 2011 while playing futsal. It is quite serious. Consulted 3 doctors. 1 doctor said my ankle bone crack. The other one said I suffered a hairline fracture. The last one said is only ligament tore..

In the end, i went for the last doctor advice and had several phsiotheraphy. Until now my ankle is still swollen, is already 6 months! I think my ankle couldnt go back to the original size anymore, my right ankle is bigger than my left one. Sigh..

Any help?

seen a chiropractor?

Chiropractor is for the back

Depending on age and severity, it might take 6 months to a year to heal.

Even then, it will never feel as strong as it was before the injury.

The best thing you can do for your ankle is to do light exercises once you dont feel the pain anymore. This is to strengthen up the muscles

A good exercise to do is to walk backwards on a treadmill for 5 minutes a day. Set it to a comfortable pace.

Get well soon!

ankle sprain sure are pain in the ***. I was like 4 month and its still hurting...my advice you should check with professional doctor regarding your ankle,

because Mine was veins putus de... T__T

hi guys.. may I ask for some advice. I sprain both my ankles 2 weeks ago while playing badminton (slippery floor), no swelling, no rashes, just feel immerse pain for first few minutes. Left ankle was more severe, and practically limping for the next 5 days. Feels weak on my right ankle, some pain but can walk as normal, but nothing vigorous. I also have problem descending stairs for first week, feel pain inside ankle when I land on toe, and have to descend sideway.

2 weeks after (today), I regain most of my strength. I push myself with 70~80% strength (light jump) and both my feet are able without pain. But, I still feel some pain behind/below my ankle bone when I twist my foot (i.e. standing on the ball/heel, and twist the left foot outward/anti-clockwise) at the joint limit. Is this normal? Is there anything I need to worry about?

Anyway, I resume playing badminton today, with adjustable ankle wrap (thermoskin). Light game just for sweat. After the game, I feel like my ankle loosen a bit, and is less stiff. I try to look up for information on this type of injury and recovery (i.e. loosen the joint), can't find anything related. Am I doing it right?

just wait for it to heal.

Just an update for you guys, it's now fully healed, took nearly 10 weeks.

So don't injure your ankle/ligament. The healing time is extremely long.

hurt my ankle last time when playing badminton too...too stupid cos wearing slipper and play.
it will pain everytime i play for too long~ :/

This post has been edited by chaithing: Jul 14 2012, 09:43 AM

Hi,

I'm a physiotherapist. In order to get a full recovery- rest and physio can help you to strengthen and get back the 'joint sense' in you ankle. Often you can get re-injury once it has happened once so rehab and taping would be a good thing to look into. You can visit my website

Physio Savvy

or call me direct on 019-396 2491

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Added on July 21, 2012, 4:25 pmFor pain reduction, strengthening and rehab after a sprained ankle see

Physio Savvy

Or call direct on 019-396 2491.

We can help you get back on you feet and prevent re-injury.

This post has been edited by PhysioSavvy: Jul 21 2012, 04:25 PM

Although the ankle has healed, it is actually unstable, at least not before it was injured. It is recommended to use compression sleeves to protect ankle when playing badminton. My favorite sleeves are SB SOX, Crucial, SS SLEEVE STARS. These sleeves are different from ordinary sleeves in that they not only provide compression but also support, and pain is significantly relieved.