To diagnose a sprained ankle, your doctor will ask you questions about your injury and examine your injured foot. He will evaluate your ankle bones and soft tissue, observe your ankle's range of motion, and do various strength tests.

You may also want to have an X-ray or other imaging tests to see if you have any other injuries, such as a broken bone or fracture.

How are ankle sprains treated?

Treatment for ankle sprains usually includes:

Protect the ankle by wearing tape, an adjustable ankle brace, or an ankle splint.

rest to prevent further injury and limit inflammation. The length of time of rest depends on the severity of the sprain. If there has been no ligament tear, standing for 10-14 days may suffice.

pain medications (called "pain relievers")

treatments to reduce inflammation, such as:

ice wrapped in a towel and placed on the affected area for about 20 minutes every 1–2 hours

an elastic bandage placed around the affected area for compression

elevate the injured area (keeping the leg up)

warm compresses or an electric mat (only after swelling subsides)

when pain and swelling subside, stretching exercises
before resuming activity, strength exercises

Doctors can treat more severe sprains with splints or casts. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to operate.