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Your sprained ankle will be painful, swollen, probably bruised and may feel warm to touch. You might find it hard to move your foot, walk or even stand at first.

Your symptoms will depend on how seriously you've sprained your ankle.¹

• Grade I is a mild sprain. Pain, swelling and bruising are usually slight. You can probably move your ankle joint and put weight on your foot.
• Grade II is a moderate sprain. Pain, swelling and bruising are more serious. You may find it hard to move your ankle and put weight on it.
• Grade III is a severe sprain. Pain, swelling and bruising are usually quite bad. You won't be able to put weight on the ankle joint.

You might have felt a pop or tear when you twisted your ankle. This could mean you've completely torn or ruptured the ligaments. This type of sprain is the most serious.

You should go to see a doctor if your ankle is very swollen and you find it hard to stand. You should also ask for advice if you aren't sure how serious the injury is or need to know how to care for it. Your doctor may gently feel how tender your bone is and see if you can walk four steps. This is to decide if you need an X-ray to check whether you've fractured a bone.²

The pain and swelling of a mild sprain should start to get better after a couple of days. You need to start treatment, known as RICE, as soon as possible to bring the swelling down. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. If you have a more serious sprain, your swollen ankle can take a week or longer to settle. If your sprain is moderate or severe, you should see your doctor again after about a week to discuss further treatment.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.