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Ankle Sprain Recovery Time

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 SprainApproximate Recovery Time
Grade 1 (Mild)3 to 5 weeks
Grade 2 (Moderate)4 to 6 weeks
Grade 3 (Severe)3 to 6 months