There's a good chance that while playing as a child or stepping on an uneven surface as an adult you sprained your ankle--some 25,000 people do it every day. Sometimes a sprain is just an awkward moment when you lose your balance, with pain that quickly fades away and you go on your way. But a sprain could be more severe. Your ankle might swell and hurt too much to stand on it. If it is a severe sprain, you might have felt a "pop" when the injury happened.

Causes
A sprained ankle means one or more ligaments on the outside of your ankle were stretched or torn. If it is not treated properly, you could have long-term problems. You're most likely to sprain your ankle when you have your toes on the ground and heel up (plantar flexion). This position puts your ankle’s ligaments under tension, making them vulnerable. A sudden force like landing on an uneven surface may turn your ankle inward. When this happens, one, two or three of your ligaments may be hurt.

Symptoms
Suspect a sprained ankle if a pop or snap is felt or heard at the time of the injury. You may experience moderate to severe pain and swelling, restricted movement, and bruising. There may be mild to moderate instability in the ankle.

Treatment
Treatment for your sprained ankle will depend on the severity of your injury. For a Grade I sprain, follow the R.I.C.E. guidelines:

• Rest your ankle and do not walk on it.
• Ice it to keep the swelling down.
• Compressive bandages immobilize and support your injury.
• Elevate your ankle above your heart level for 48 hours.

The swelling usually goes down within a few days.

For a Grade II sprain, follow the R.I.C.E. guidelines and allow more time for healing. A doctor may immobilize or splint your sprained ankle.

A Grade III sprain puts you at risk for permanent ankle instability. Surgery is rarely needed to repair the damage, especially in competitive athletes. For severe ankle sprains, your doctor may consider putting you in a short leg cast for 2-3 weeks. People who sprain their ankle repeatedly may need surgical repair to tighten their ligaments.