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You're likely to make a good recovery even if the sprain is severe. But your ankle will take longer to get better if your injury is more serious.

What happens depends on how bad your sprain is.¹

• After a mild sprain, people can usually get back to normal within six weeks.
• After a severe sprain, it can take much longer to get better. You may need up to 12 months before you can play sports again.
• You may be left with some pain, stiffness and swelling, or feel unstable on your foot.

Pain is the most common lasting problem.² If your ankle injury damaged a lot of cartilage, you're more likely to have problems.² Cartilage is the material that makes the ends of your bones smooth so that they can move easily against each other. Each time you sprain your ankle, you risk adding more damage. If your ankle pain doesn't go away, it's probably because of damage to the cartilage. You may need surgery to repair it.

It's important not to sprain your ankle again, particularly in the first six weeks after your injury. You need to strap up your ankle so it can't twist. There's also good research that shows that wearing an ankle support for sports reduces your risk of another ankle sprain.³

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.