Almost all ankle sprains complete the entire recovery period in three phases:
Phase I: Resting and protecting the ankle and reducing the swelling.
Phase II: Restoring the range of motion, flexibility, and strength.
Phase III: Slowly returning to work and initially refraining from activities that do not require turning or twisting the ankle.
The approximate recovery time for a sprained ankle based on the grades of an ankle sprain are listed below:
Grade of Ankle Sprain | Approximate Recovery Time |
Grade 1 (Mild) | 3 to 5 weeks |
Grade 2 (Moderate) | 4 to 6 weeks |
Grade 3 (Severe) | 3 to 6 months |