How long does it take to fully recover from a sprained ankle and
return to your prior state of fitness?

Hi isolde57,

    Several factors determine how quickly one makes a full recovery
after a sprained ankle. One of the most important is immediate
treatment.

     Think of the word RICE:   Rest ? Ice ? Compression - Elevation

  Wrapping the injury in a compression bandage, like an Ace bandage
and applying ice for 15 minute increments to decrease swelling is
imperative for a rapid recovery. A person?s age,  ability to heal and
the severity of the injury are important factors to consider as well.
Having said all that, expect about a 2-3 week full recovery time. If
you can take them, anti-inflammatory pain relievers  such as ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin) or Naprosyn can alleviate the pain.

   You will need to prop your leg up to reduce blood and fluids from
entering the sprain area and increasing swelling. Doing nothing can
cause the sprain to heal much slower, taking weeks to months.

 If the sprain is so severe you can't put weight on your foot, you
should see a doctor to rule out a fracture. An unreliable sign that
the ankle is broken is if you feel nauseated at the time of injury.
Many patients that suffer an ankle fracture describe feeling the urge
to vomit.
 
After a few days of rest, you can begin walking for brief periods, as tolerated.

As Myoarin-ga points out below, professional athletes heal faster
because they are treated immediately, by a team of doctors waiting on
the sidelines.


Here are sources about sprained ankles:

?This simple regimen, sometimes combined with taking a simple non
steroidal anti-inflammatory tablet such as Ibuprofen, works very well
for the vast majority of sprains. A few days should see you walking
relatively well, with full recovery usually happening within a
fortnight or so.:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/musclesjoints/201221.html

?The degree of recovery depends on the severity of the sprain and the
age and health of the patient. Most patients recover completely from
sprains, especially Grade I and Grade II sprains. However, once a
significant sprain occurs, the joint may never be as strong as it was
before the injury. With appropriate rehabilitative exercises, some of
this lost strength and stability may return.?
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/11195.html#prognosis

?The repair phase is next. This can last from 48 hours to six weeks.
During this phase, the body lays down scar tissue (collagen). It is
not unusual to feel pain/discomfort during this time.
The final, and most important, phase is the remodeling phase. This is
when the collegen is remodeled to replicate the tissue that was
damaged during the injury. This is the longest phase, lasting from
three weeks to a year or more.?
http://www.healthmeisters.com/softtissue.html


?After an ankle injury balance training is essential to recovery. In
addition to our eyes and inner ears, there are special receptors in
our joints (proprioceptors) that provide information about our
position in space. By balancing on one leg you can reinforce and
strengthen those receptors in the ankle. Balance on the affected leg
and hold steady for 15 seconds. Continue to challenge your ankle by
balancing with your eyes closed, or with your head turning from side
to side. If you play soccer, balance on your sprained ankle and kick a
soccer ball against a wall. If you play basketball, balance and shoot
or practice bounce passes. Get creative with your exercise to match
your sport.?
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/ankle/a/aa051602a.htm


Hope this helps you out! Make a speedy recovery. 

Regards, Crabcakes

Search Terms
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healing + sprained ankle
recovering + sprained ankle

It depends on the medical help that you get. Professional football and
soccer players are helped to recover much faster sometimes than seems
possible.
It also depends on your own physical condition.

It also depends on whether you actually have a sprained ankle.  There
are various types of injuries the ankle can have; some are
misdiagnosed as a sprain.  If you're unsure, try to see a good
orthopedist.  If it's really just a sprain, you'll probably be over it
in the time it takes to get an orthopedic appointment (depending on
the waiting time for your town's orthopedists).

On my ankle question, I'm asking on my own behalf. I "severely
sprained" my left ankle on June 11, and saw an orthopedist on June 14.
 It was X-rayed at a clinic on June 11, the general practioner thought
she saw a "hairline fracture" there, and predicted a cast would be
necessary.

After reviewing the X-rays June 14, Orthopod disagreed, said the
fracture was "an older injury," and that what I currently was
sustaining was a "severe sprain." He gave me an air cast, suggested
crutches for a couple of weeks, gave me pain pills and supplied a
sheet with suggested exercises for recovery. On July 1 I felt good
enough to stop using crutches, but my ankle/foot still aches from time
to time, especially after I've done a lot of walking.  I have NOT been
following my usual energetic routine, however.

Before June 11, I had been slowly and gradually training (with
progressively more difficult hikes) for a series of planned
backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail this summer and fall, with
the expectation I could eventually carry 35 lbs. over the up-and-down
terrain of the trail, for at least 5-7 miles per day, on two- and
three-day weekend trips.  I'm female, weigh 180 lbs., and am 5'7",
which makes me about 20-25 lbs. overweight.  I successfully embarked
on the first backpacking trip in April (although I scaled down my
expectations to 4 miles per day), and had done some heavy hiking in
May, before the injury occurred in June.

Other than that, I lift weights (including leg curls, leg extension,
leg press) at the gym twice a week, swim about once a week, and do a
lot of walking, because I primarily use public transportation.

I wanna get back to the hiking/backpacking shape I was in April/May,
and want to know how long I can expect that to take.  The Ortho
predicted "August", but warned me not to do any running, use leg press
machine, or go swing dancing in July.

How long will it take to get back to hiking speed, and is there
anything I can do to hasten the process?

I hope you wear hiking shoes with above the ankle support, boots.
Good luck, Myoarin