Sprained Ankle Advice

Broke my ankle this spring in a bouldering fall. I'd recommend googling for PT exercises to get yourself started. The key, once inflammation is down, is to get that ankle strong again. Eversion/inversion with a theraband is a good one, also heel raises, alphabets, etc. Try not to get too sedentary or it will atrophy and take longer to heal. I'm still not 100%, but I'm able to ski, hike, and jog without much of an issue. Ease back into your running like the others said, and you'll be back soon enough.

Thanks for all the replies - it's definitely helpful to hear from active people who've had one, rather than just read the standard WebMD stuff.

I think I'm done with my short career in trail racing - too much temptation to run downhill too fast when someone is breathing down your neck...

It can actually take longer to fully recover from a badly sprained ankle than from a broken one.  For full recovery, it is absolutely critical to not reinjure that ankle.  If you do, it may never fully heal and/or it will be more prone to future injuries.  So you must play it safe and focus on healing. 

My story:  Years ago, I sustained a very bad ankle sprain in a 10 foot fall.  So bad the doc casted it for three weeks.  After the cast was removed, I used a walking cast for a few more weeks.  I was totally frustrated at the time and thought the doc was really being an old fogy.  Afterwards, it took a few months more to regain 100% flexibility.  However, time has proven the doc was right.  Back then, I think he put the cast on because he knew I wouldn't sit still long enough to let my ankle heal. The initial immobility did allow my ankle to heal completely.  While regaining flexibility was a chore, I have never had trouble with it since, more than 20 years later.

Not saying your ankle needs to be immobilized.  Best to see a professional for guidance on how to let it heal followed by regaining full strength and flexibility.  Recovery really depends on how badly your ankle was sprained.
   

I destroyed my ankle last Wednesday mountain biking. I'll be starting pt Monday and will keep you informed on exercises. Also doc cleared me to ski by end of month with a grade 3 sprain.

I sprained my ankel this past summer while climbing I Creek with my grandson, At 62, I felt like I got hit by lightning............ICE, RICE, ICE IN A GLASS OF SCOTCH, time to feel... I am 100% now, but for two weeks I thought it would last forever. you don't heal as fast when you are older than dirt. Good luck. BTW it has to be good SCOTCH.

The confusing part for me is the assessment of when it is more beneficial to start moving it vs. keeping it immobile. My doctor gave me pretty cursory advice (RICE, crutches if I feel like I need them) when I saw him immediately after the injury, so I've been just doing what I think is best since then (immobile, iced for the first 4-5 days, now trying to do flexing exercises, walking (limping) on it). I think I may see if I can see a PT based on what others are saying here, though, as it doesn't feel much better now (over a week in).