Ankle Sprain — Lateral Ankle Sprain — Non-Operative

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with brace/protective tape for WB activities; immobilization x 10 days for severe sprain

Key Restrictions

Brace or protective tape during all WB activities; Ottawa rule to rule out fracture; Grade I: 1-2 wks; Grade II: 2-4 wks; Grade III: up to 9-10 wks; avoid aggressive inversion strengthening early; no forced inversion ROM

Timeline & Phases

4 phases: Phase I Protection/Optimal Loading (1-2 wks), Phase II Intermediate/Sub-Acute (3-6 wks), Phase III Late/Chronic (7-10 wks), Phase IV Return to Sport/Function (11-16 wks)

Notes

Criterion-based; Ottawa ankle rule noted; Grades I-IV manual therapy for pain; differential diagnosis listed (fracture, syndesmosis, osteochondral, peroneal/Achilles tendon strain); return to sport criteria: 90% Y-Balance/Star Balance vs uninvolved, full ankle strength; Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool or FAAM for outcomes; SL heel raise test (25 reps). [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2025-02-16.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Sports Medicine