Misjudging a step, a casual kick of a ball gone wrong or tripping over a toy – we’ve all been there, but when it happens, rolling your ankle is never fun.

At first, you might be tempted to just brush it off, but then the swelling kicks in. It’s painful to walk and you’re left wondering, is this just a sprain, or something more serious? 

Ankle injuries are one of the most common reasons people come to see us at Life Ready Physio + Pilates and while they’re often brushed off, without the right care, they can develop into a lingering issue. 

What to do straight after
Immediate care in the first 24–48 hours after an ankle injury can make a big difference to your recovery.  

• Rest: Avoid putting weight on the ankle 
• Ice: Apply a cold pack wrapped in a towel for 15–20 minutes every 2 hours 
• Compression: Use a bandage or ankle wrap (available from your local Chemist) to support the area 
• Elevate: Keep the ankle raised to help reduce swelling 

If you’re still limping the day after an ankle injury, or you notice swelling and pain is still hanging around, that’s your cue to see a physio.

What’s the difference between a sprain and a strain?
It’s easy to confuse the two, but they affect different parts of your body.  

• A sprain is when you stretch or tear the ligaments (the tough tissue that connects bone to bone), often when your foot rolls in or out unexpectedly 
• A strain is when the muscles or tendons (which connect muscles to bones) are overstretched or damaged1 

Both can cause pain, swelling, bruising and stiffness and both can make it hard to weight bare and feel confident in your footing if left untreated. Sometimes, a rolled ankle can even lead to a small fracture, which is why getting the correct diagnosis (and a referral for medical imaging, if required) is important.  

Why early physio intervention matters
At Life Ready Physio + Pilates, our mission is to move you towards your best quality of life, and that includes helping you recover safely and fully from any injury, so you can get back to doing the things you love.  

During a physio session, we can: 

• Diagnose the issue and determine whether it’s a sprain, strain or something more 
• Manage pain and swelling with hands-on treatment and gentle movement 
• Help you rebuild strength in your ankle with a tailored treatment plan based on your own goals and lifestyle  
• Help reduce the risk of future injuries 

An ankle injury doesn’t have to slow you down for long, but it does deserve the right care from the start.

Book your appointment now with your local Life Ready Physio + Pilates team.

We accept all private health funds, Chronic Disease Management plans, Department of Veteran’s Affaris referrals and workers’ compensation or motor vehicle accident cases.  

References

1 https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/sprains-and-strains