If you’ve ever dealt with a sprained ankle, you’re probably familiar with the pain and swelling that can keep you from going about your day. An ankle sprain occurs when one of the ligaments that connects your foot to your leg becomes stretched or torn, per WebMD.

Sprained ankles are common, and they’re often the result of a sports injury or an accidental fall. Depending on how bad your sprain is, recovery times will differ, and accordingly, so will your treatment options. In conversation with USA TODAY, a podiatrist weighs in on the steps you need to take to get back on your feet in no time.

How do I know if my ankle sprain is serious?

Ankle sprain injuries are graded according to the amount of force that causes the ligament to abnormally stretch, per UCONN Health. “I like to think of it as a spectrum” ranging from “mild to severe,” says Dr. Megan Ishibashi, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon. As the grades increase, so will the intensity of your symptoms.

A Grade 1 ankle sprain is a mild injury where “small tears in the ligaments of the ankle” cause pain, swelling, and bruising, Ishibashi explains. Typically, you’ll be able to put weight on your foot, she says. This type of injury can occur when you “twist” your ankle.

A Grade 2 ankle sprain is “a partial tear of the ligament” which results in more pain, swelling, bruising, and greater difficulty walking, says Ishibashi. If you’re experiencing symptoms consistent with a Grade 2 sprain, you’ll want to be seen by a doctor, she notes.

A Grade 3 sprain is a “severe ankle sprain” that results from a “complete tear or rupture of a ligament,” Ishibashi adds. Grade 3 sprains are defined by markedly intense pain, swelling, and an inability to walk. 

How long does a sprained ankle take to heal?

The recovery period for a sprained ankle will depend on the intensity of your injury. A mild ankle sprain can clear up anywhere between a couple of days to a week, Ishibashi says, while severe ankle sprains can take a few months to completely heal. 

How to heal a sprained ankle quickly

While you’re recovering from a sprain, it’s important to prioritize rest, Ishibashi underscores. No matter the severity, you can practice the classic “RICE” protocol, which consists of rest, ice, compression and elevation to help with pain and swelling, she says. 

For mild ankle sprains, wearing an ankle brace for the first couple of days to a week can provide much needed support and relief, Ishibashi says. The treatment for a severe ankle sprain will likely require wearing a boot to help control swelling and provide more robust support, she says. 

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Additionally, “it’s really important to start rehab as soon as possible,” Ishibashi notes. If your sprain is mild to moderate, ankle range of motion exercises and strengthening exercises can be started a couple days after your injury has occurred. These exercises can be performed at home, although physical therapy may be necessary, she says.