Can You Walk On A Sprained Ankle?
April 24, 2019
Athletic TrainingInjury PreventionPhysical TherapyRehabilitation
Ah, our old friend the sprained ankle. It always seems to happen when we least expect, doesn’t it? Walking too close to the edge of the sidewalk. Coming down the mountain from a hike.
Stepping across the road in heels.
Even the slightest misstep can cause a painful sprain that can linger for weeks, even months. No one wants to be off their feet for too long, especially athletes and fans of regular exercise. The question is, can you walk on a sprained ankle?
Walk on a Sprained Ankle By Taking the Weight Off
The answer is: it depends on the severity of the sprain. There are three grades used to evaluate ankle sprains:
- Grade I
- Grade II
- Grade III (most severe)
Although the first temptation might be to “walk it off,” this can cause more damage to stretched or torn ligaments and prolong recovery time. It’s important not to overdo it or get ahead of yourself: walking too soon on a sprained ankle can lead to reinjury, pain, and more chronic conditions like arthritis.
There are a few important activities that help people work through a sprained ankle:
- RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- Re-strengthening exercises
- Rebuilding stability, balance, and flexibility
- Gradually introducing weight-bearing activities
How to Gradually Introduce Weight Bearing on a Sprained Ankle
Traditionally, crutches, boots, and braces are used to eliminate or significantly reduce the body-weight impact on a sprained ankle. This reduces injury risk and allows time to begin rebalancing and restrengthening the injured ankle.
Our very own AlterG AntiGravity Treadmill™ is often deployed to help patients recovering from ankle sprains. The Anti-Gravity Treadmill allows therapists to add body weight in small increments, monitor pain and use gait analysis to fine-tune walking or running mechanics. The result is a drastic reduction of re-injury risk and shorter recovery times altogether.
Recommended reading: Read our Grade III lateral ankle sprain protocol on our clinical resources page. In this case study, the Anti-Gravity Treadmill was used to gradually re-introduce weight bearing and build the strength and flexibility of the injured ankle. The results are remarkable.