Ankle Sprain: How to Care for Your Child

An ankle sprain happens when the ankle twists or bends and one of its ligaments (bands of tissue that hold bones together) stretches or tears. It can take up to 6 weeks for an ankle sprain to heal. Use these instructions to care for your child as the ankle heals and to prevent future ankle sprains.

• For pain, you can give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol^® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (such as Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often.

• Follow your health care provider's recommendations on whether your child needs to use crutches or wear an elastic bandage or other support.

• For the first day or two:

  • If it hurts to walk, your child should stay off the ankle. 

  • When sitting or sleeping, have your child keep the ankle above heart level by resting it on a pillow.

  • Place an ice pack or bag of ice wrapped in a towel on the ankle for 10–20 minutes a few times a day.

• About 2 days after the injury, follow your health care provider's recommendations for:

  • How to help your child do any stretching or strengthening exercises. 

  • Whether it's OK for your child to put weight on the ankle to walk.

  • When your child can return to sports and other activities.

  • Applying warm compresses or a heating pad to the ankle.

• Follow your health care provider's recommendations for when to schedule a follow-up visit and whether to take your child to a physical therapist.

• The pain gets worse.

• The swelling doesn't go down within a week of the injury.

• The ankle still hurts 4–6 weeks after the injury.

• The ankle swells or hurts when your child returns to regular activities and sports.

When can kids go back to sports after an ankle sprain? It's important to wait until the sprain is fully healed before kids go back to sports. Health care providers will usually clear kids for sports when:

• The ankle is no longer swollen.

• The child can bear weight fully and is not limping.

• The ankle is back to full strength and can bend and stretch normally.

• The sport does not cause pain.

What can help prevent ankle sprains? Not all ankle sprains can be prevented. But these tips can make another one less likely. Your child should:

• Stretch regularly to keep the ankles flexible.

• Do strengthening exercises to keep the ankle and leg muscles strong.

• Always warm up before playing sports, exercising, or doing any other kind of physical activity.

• Be careful when walking or running on uneven or cracked surfaces so they don't twist the ankle.

• Avoid overdoing things. Being tired can make an injury more likely. 

• Wear shoes that don't have high heels.

• Wear shoes that fit well and are right for the sport (for example, high-top sneakers for basketball). Tie any laces and close any Velcro or other straps to make the shoes as supportive as possible.

• Consider taping the ankles or using a supportive bandage or lace-up ankle braces.