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LATERAL ANKLE SPRAIN

Illustration of a human lower leg and foot with the ankle highlighted in glowing orange, indicating a lateral ankle sprain or ankle injury, shown against a dark background to emphasise pain and inflammation.
LATERAL ANKLE SPRAIN
What Is It?
A lateral ankle sprain happens when the ankle rolls inward (inversion), overstretching the ligaments on the outside (lateral side) of the ankle, most commonly the Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL), sometimes also the Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL) or Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTFL).

Who Gets Them?

They’re very common in sports and activities that involve jumping, landing, rapid direction changes, or cutting in sports like football, basketball, netball, rugby, gym-based sports, or any activity on uneven ground.

Typical Symptoms

 

  • Pain on the outside (lateral side) of the ankle

  • Swelling and/or bruising around the outside of the ankle. 

  • Tenderness to touch and difficulty bearing weight, walking or standing. 

  • A feeling of instability, weakness, or “giving way” in the ankle. 

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Physiotherapy offers structured rehabilitation that helps to:

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  • Reduce pain and swelling in the acute phase (via rest, protection, ice/compression/elevation, guided loading). 

  • Restore ankle joint mobility and range of motion.

  • Strengthen the muscles around the ankle and lower limb to support stability. 

  • Retrain balance, coordination, and proprioception (joint position sense), especially important to prevent re-injury and restore confidence in the ankle. 

  • Progress to functional and sport-specific exercises (jumping, cutting, running, changing direction) once pain and strength are adequate, reducing the risk of recurrence and ensuring safe return to sport.

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EXCEL

EMPOWER

INSPIRE

Close-up of a person performing an ankle strengthening exercise with a pink resistance band looped around both ankles, wearing blue leggings and white trainers, demonstrating rehabilitation or injury-prevention training for the ankle against a dark background.
White checkmark inside a rounded square icon on a black background, representing confirmation or approval.
White checkmark inside a rounded square icon on a black background, representing confirmation or approval.
White checkmark inside a rounded square icon on a black background, representing confirmation or approval.
White checkmark inside a rounded square icon on a black background, representing confirmation or approval.
White checkmark inside a rounded square icon on a black background, representing confirmation or approval.
PAIN ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ANKLE

especially when walking.

SWELLING OR BRUISING

Swelling or bruising around the ankle joint soon after the injury.

TENDERNESS

Tenderness to touch along the outer ankle ligaments.

STIFFNESS

Reduced range of motion or stiffness when trying to move the foot up, down, or sideways.

INSTABILITY 

the ankle may feel like it could “give way” when standing or walking.

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EXCEL

EMPOWER

INSPIRE

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