We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Treat a Torn Ankle?

By Dawna Theo
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,761
Share

Torn ankles also can be called sprained ankles. A sprained ankle involves torn ligaments, usually on the lateral or outside of the ankle. The ankle has three ligaments to support the bones of the ankle. When one of these ligaments becomes torn, you may have a lot of pain depending on the severity of the tear. A torn ankle usually can be treated with the rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) treatment.

Many torn ankles are a result of an injury. To treat a torn ankle, remember which way your ankle turned or twisted to determine which ligament could be torn. There are three levels of torn ankles, ranging from mild to severe. Grade one is a mild tear; grade two is a medium tear; grade three may require ankle surgery and usually is quite painful.

A grade one torn ankle usually is a mild tear or stretching of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. You may notice mild swelling and very little bruising of the ankle. The ankle joint may feel stiff, but you should be able to walk and possibly still be able to run on it.

To treat a torn ankle that is grade one, it generally is recommended that the ankle be kept above hip-level, and that ice be put on the ankle for approximately 20 minutes every other hour for the first 24 hours. If needed, ibuprofen usually can be taken to reduce swelling and pain for a couple of days. Usually, you should elevate the ankle whenever you can for a few days. Wearing an ankle brace for compression during physical activity might help if the ankle feels unstable.

A grade two torn ankle usually should be treated in much the same way as a grade one except the RICE treatment should be used longer. You may not be able to walk easily on your ankle without limping for a few weeks. Your ankle may be very swollen and bruised.

As soon as possible, the ankle typically should be elevated above hip-level. Resting the ankle for a few days and not placing much pressure on it while walking usually should help. Apply ice to the ankle 20 minutes on and 40 minutes off for the next three days. An ankle brace can help to compress the torn ankle and give it stability. Ibuprofen can be taken for a few days to reduce swelling and pain.

It usually is recommended that you go to the doctor if the ankle is not improving after a week of rest. Recovery from a grade two torn ankle can take two to three months. You may be able to ease back into exercise after a few weeks if you are careful and wear an ankle brace.

To treat a torn ankle that is grade three is a more-involved process. A grade three torn ankle is considered a complete rupture or tear of the ankle ligament. The pain, bruising, and swelling will be severe. You will not be able to walk on it at all. Usually, you should see a doctor with this type of torn ankle as it may require surgery.

Whenever you return to a regular exercise program after a tear, you usually should treat a torn ankle with care. When you feel ready to exercise, you typically should start slowly and gradually increase intensity. Doing ankle-circle exercises, rotations, and stretches every day can help keep your ankle from getting stiff. It usually is advisable that you avoid high-impact exercise if you feel you might again injure the ankle.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Talentryto — On Sep 18, 2014

Cold compresses are great for a swollen ankle that is a result of an ankle sprain injury. However, don't use ice directly on the problem. This could cause the pain to get worse temporarily, or cause damage to the skin. A soft ice pack or a cold gel compress is the best type of treatment if you want to use cold to treat an ankle injury.

By Raynbow — On Sep 17, 2014

I had a mild torn ankle from a sports injury last year, and stayed off it for several weeks. This allowed my ankle injury to heal quickly, which would not have been possible if I had continued to put weight on it.

By Ocelot60 — On Sep 16, 2014

A torn ankle could be a catch all concept that could indicate a variety of problems, from a torn ligament to an actual break. This is why anyone who experiences a severe ankle sprain or other type of ankle injury should get it checked out by a doctor.

Diagnosing your injury without medical advice could lead to more serious problems down the road. And if you do have a tear, early diagnosis and the proper treatment will help it heal much faster than if you treat yourself for the wrong problem.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-treat-a-torn-ankle.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.