Going home after your visit
Sprained ankle — advice for you
How to care for a sprained ankle, and the signs that mean you or your child should be checked again.
You have sprained your ankle — the ligaments are stretched or partly torn. There is no broken bone that needs a plaster. Most sprains settle over a few weeks. Please follow the advice below.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Go back to A&E or an urgent treatment centre if any of these happen
These can mean a broken bone, a lost blood supply, a clot or an infection. Call 999 for the ones marked below — do not wait.
- You cannot put any weight on it or walk more than a few steps
- You heard a crack or snap when you hurt it
- The ankle or foot looks bent or out of shape — call 999
- The foot or toes turn numb, pale, blue or cold — call 999
- Pain or swelling is severe, or is not improving after a few days
- Days later you get calf pain, swelling, warmth or redness (this can be a clot) — get seen the same day, or call 999 if you also feel breathless or have chest pain
- The ankle becomes hot and red and you feel feverish or shivery
CALL 999 Call 999 if you are too unwell to get to hospital.
For the first 2–3 days
- Rest, but keep gently moving the ankle.
- Put ice wrapped in a cloth on it for 15–20 minutes, a few times a day.
- Use a compression bandage or tubigrip for support during the day.
- Raise the ankle above hip level when resting.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain if you can take them.
Getting better
- Start putting weight on it and walking as the pain allows.
- Do gentle ankle moves — draw the alphabet with your toes.
- For the first 3 days avoid Heat, Alcohol, Running and Massage — these add to swelling.
- Most sprains settle in 6–8 weeks.
- Build back up to sport gradually.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above