Sprained ankle

In an ankle sprain, one or more ankle ligaments stretch or tear when the foot unexpectedly rolls. Pain, swelling and bruising are common, but a fracture, tendon injury or dislocation may look similar. Protect the ankle and cool it briefly, build up weight-bearing and exercises in good time, and have severe pain, deformity or poor circulation assessed immediately.

• Pain around the outer or inner ankle, especially when walking, turning or pressing on the injured ligament.
• Swelling developing within minutes or hours, with bruising that may later spread down to the foot or toes.
• Protect the ankle from rolling again and limit activities that clearly increase pain in the first few days, without keeping it completely still for weeks.
• Cool for no more than fifteen to twenty minutes at a time with a cloth between the skin and cold pack, and check the skin, especially with diabetes or reduced sensation.
• Have the ankle assessed the same day for clear bony tenderness, major swelling, severe pain, inability to walk four steps or uncertainty about a fracture.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.