Grading Your Ankle Sprain — And When to Seek Professional Help

You don’t need to be an elite-level athlete to run a risk of spraining your ankle. All it takes is an awkward step to roll your foot on its outer edge to overextend ligaments in the ankle. 

The severity of ankle sprains varies widely, and your physician at 360 Orthopedics will rate your sprain using a three-stage grading scale. We have foot and ankle specialists and surgeons on staff to help you when your sprain requires orthopedic care. 

Does your ankle require treatment? In some cases, you can successfully overcome this injury with home care. Other times, you’ll need medical attention to ensure there’s not a bone fracture. Understanding the ankle sprain grade scale can help you get the necessary care. 

What happens when I sprain my ankle? 

An ankle sprain is an injury to tissue that connects the bones of your ankles, called ligaments. The outside foot roll that causes a sprain stretches or tears these ligaments, causing pain when you bear weight on the joint, as well as bruising and swelling. It’s difficult to walk on a sprained ankle. 

The symptoms of a severe sprain may be similar to those of an ankle bone fracture, though a sprain typically heals faster. Mild sprains may not need medical care and could respond quickly to rest and other measures. 

Grades of ankle sprains

Because the range of ankle sprains is so wide, a three-point scale divides ankle sprains by severity. The mildest sprain is grade 1, while the most severe is grade 3. Let’s take a look at each grade in detail. 

Grade 1 sprains

Ligaments are stretched slightly beyond their normal range of motion, and micro tears could be in the tissue. Your ankle may feel tender or mildly painful, and a grade 1 sprain has only a tiny effect on ankle function. Your ankle should respond well to home care and show steady improvement. 

Grade 2 sprains

Ligament tissues will be partially torn. Swelling is more pronounced, and the sprain will be more painful than a grade 1 injury. The ankle’s range of motion is notably reduced, and your ankle might feel unstable, as though it may “give out” or roll to the outside again. The ankle will likely respond to home care, including extensive rest. You may need to immobilize the ankle. If there’s no progressive improvement within a week, contact our office for an exam and diagnosis. 

Grade 3 sprains

The most severe ankle sprains include the complete rupture of ligament tissue. Swelling is pronounced, and pain can be quite severe. You can bear little weight, if any, on the affected ankle. A grade 3 sprain requires immobilization, and torn ligaments might need surgical repair. Grade 3 sprains are sometimes indistinguishable from fractures, so we recommend medical assessment. 

If your sprained ankle symptoms don’t improve within five to seven days, contact 360 Orthopedics. There should be signs of progress within this time frame; otherwise, orthopedic care will become necessary. 

We have offices in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch. Call the nearest location to book your visit today.