Ankle sprains & strains
At Aligna Podiatry, our podiatrists assess, treat and rehabilitate ankle sprains and strains so you recover properly and without re-injuring. We tackle pain immediately with high-power laser therapy to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing. We then focus on strengthening to get you moving again and keep you injury free.
What is an ankle sprain or strain?
An ankle sprain is a stretched or torn ligament of the tissue that holds your ankle bones together.
It usually happens when your foot rolls the wrong way.
How bad is it?
- Mild: stretched, a bit sore and swollen
- Moderate: partly torn, bruised, harder to walk
- Severe: fully torn, very swollen, can’t put weight on it
Even a mild sprain is worth checking. If a ligament heals wrong, your ankle stays weak and sprains can occur again.
Signs, symptoms & when to see a podiatrist
Common signs of an ankle sprain:
- Pain, especially when you put weight on it
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Stiffness or trouble moving the ankle
- A feeling that the ankle is wobbly or giving way
See a podiatrist if:
- You can’t put weight on it
- The swelling or bruising is bad
- It’s not improving after a few days
- Your ankle keeps rolling or feels unstable
- You’ve sprained the same ankle before
Don’t just walk it off. A sprain that heals badly can leave your ankle weak and likely to sprain again. Getting it checked early means it heals properly the first time and you get back to normal faster.
How we treat sprains at Aligna
We treat ankle sprains in two stages: reduce inflammation first then strengthen.
Stage 1: reduce pain and swelling
We use high-power laser therapy to reduce inflammation and kickstart healing from your first visit.
Stage 2: rebuild strength
Once the pain and swelling ease, we focus on strengthening. This gets the ankle stable again so it can handle everyday walking and sports.
We also check why it happened
Sometimes the way your foot moves puts you at higher risk of rolling your ankle, so we may also assess your biomechanics and gait.
Our goal is to heal it properly, make it stronger and stop it happening again.
Recovery, rehab & preventing re-injury
How long does it take?
- Mild sprain: around 1 to 2 weeks
- Moderate sprain: around 3 to 6 weeks
- Severe sprain: a few months
Everyone heals at their own pace so sticking with the rehab plan that you have created with the podiatrist is what gets you back to full strength.
Why rehab matters
Up to 7 in 10 people who sprain an ankle will re-sprain their ankle if they skip proper rehab. Guided strengthening is very important to properly heal your injury.
How we help you stay injury-free
- Strengthening to rebuild stability
- Balance work so your ankle reacts better on uneven ground
- Checking lower limb biomechanics to fix any underlying cause
- Orthotics if you need extra support
- Advice on footwear and getting back to sport safely
Summary
- Ankle sprains happen when a ligament is stretched or torn, usually from the foot rolling awkwardly.
- At Aligna Podiatry, we treat ankle sprains and strains with high-power laser therapy to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing, then targeted strengthening to rebuild stability and prevent re-injury.
- We also assess your lower limb biomechanics to find the underlying cause and stop it happening again.
Book an ankle sprain assessment today.
Book your appointment in Balwyn North
Struggling with chronic heel pain, tendon pain or another stubborn injury? Our experienced team at Aligna Podiatry in Balwyn North takes a holistic, whole-body approach to treating the foot, ankle and knee. We combine high-power laser therap, shockwave therapy with hands-on care, cupping and rehab to reduce pain and restore alignment and movement. Contact our Balwyn North clinic today to book an assessment and find out which treatment is right for you.
This page was prepared and reviewed by our podiatrists Dr Emilia Arif Stephen (POD0002562365) and Dr Justine Jose (POD0002903648). It is general information only and does not replace an individual assessment.
Please book an appointment for a thorough assessment. Last reviewed:
October 2026.