Expert Foot & Ankle Treatment from Michigan’s #1 Podiatrist - Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist
Know Your High Ankle Sprain Healing Timeline
High Ankle Sprain Recovery Time The Best Treatment Guide
High Ankle Sprain Recovery Time: Learn how long it takes to return from a high ankle sprain. Then make it much faster!
How Long Does a High Ankle Sprain Really Take to Heal?
A high ankle sprain—also called a syndesmotic sprain—occurs when the ligaments between the tibia and fibula are stretched or torn. Unlike common (low) ankle sprains, this injury sits higher above the ankle joint, causes deeper pain, and often sidelines athletes and active adults for weeks longer. Understanding the high ankle sprain recovery time is key to setting realistic expectations and following the right rehab plan so you can return safely to running, jumping, or simply walking without pain.
Typical High Ankle Sprain Recovery Time & What Affects It
| Injury Grade | Damage Description | Average Recovery Time* | Typical Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade I | Mild ligament stretch | 2 – 4 weeks | Rest, ice, compression, early mobilization |
| Grade II | Partial ligament tear | 4 – 8 weeks | Boot immobilization, physical therapy, gradual weight-bearing |
| Grade III | Complete ligament tear | 8 – 12 weeks (often longer) | Longer boot use, possible surgery, structured rehab |
*Timelines vary by age, overall health, and adherence to rehab.
Key factors that speed or slow recovery:
Early diagnosis and imaging
Proper immobilization vs. premature weight-bearing
Consistent physical therapy focusing on strength and proprioception
Patient age, fitness level, and nutrition
Avoiding re-injury or returning to sport too soon
Get a Customized High Ankle Sprain Recovery Plan Today
Every sprain—and every athlete—is different. At Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist, our podiatrists use on-site imaging, evidence-based treatments, and sport-specific rehab to shorten your high ankle sprain recovery time safely. Don’t risk chronic pain or repeat injuries.
Call now or book an appointment online—your peace of mind starts here.
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What Is A High Ankle Sprain:
This is also known as a syndesmotic ankle sprain.
- The syndesmotic ligament holds the tibia & fibula together in the lower leg.
- The ligaments are just above the ankle joint.
- So it is not really the ankle being sprained, but the lower leg.
- If this ligament ruptures, the ankle mortise widens & the foot can literally come loose!
How Does It Differ From Normal Ankle Sprain:
1. Normal Ankle Sprain Causes:
- A normal ankle sprain is the turning inward of the foot.
- This damages the lateral ankle ligaments.
- This does not cause stress between the tibia & fibula.
- There is no damage to the ligaments holding the tibia & fibula together.
The high ankle sprain syndesmosis tear is the ligaments above your ankle. If this is torn, your fibula and tibia can come apart and have gaps slightly. This is called the AITFL: this is a mouthful. It is your anterior inferior talofibular ligament.,
2. High Ankle Sprain Causes:
- This occurs as the ankle is at 90 degrees to the leg.
- The foot is planted on the ground and turns out.
- This causes stretching of the ligaments between the fibula & tibia.
- If strong enough, the ankle can fracture & the ligaments can rupture.
What Causes A High Ankle Sprain?
A high ankle sprain occurs when your foot turns out while still planted firmly on the ground at 90 degrees.
- This is the damage of the ligaments within your leg rather than on the outside of your ankle.
- These occur between the tibia and the fibula of your lower leg.
- The ligaments of your syndesmosis are damaged.
High Ankle Sprain Grades:
High Ankle Sprain Tendons & Ligaments:
There are 3 ligaments routinely stretched or damaged:
- The anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament
- The interosseous tibiofibular ligament
- The posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament.
From Shortest To Longest:
Grade 1 Sprain: Stretched Syndesmosis.
The joint is stable upon testing stress testing (performed by the physician under imaging).
- The injury should heal in a few short days or weeks.
- The athlete is likely still able to stand on the foot.
- No gross dislocation or disruptions.
Recovery Time: 3 days – 2 weeks!
- Improve this but using with rest, ice, compression & elevation!
Grade 2 Sprain: Partially Torn Syndesmosis.
This is a partial tear & injury of the ligaments.
- There may or may not be some loosening on stress testing by the podiatrist.
- An MRI may be necessary to diagnose the extent of the injury.
- The athlete may have difficulty bearing weight on the ankle.
- There likely will not be widening.
Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks Minimum!
- Improve this but using rest, ice, compression & elevation initially.
- Time off until it heals is usually necessary.
- Accommodation braces may be necessary early on until healing.
Grade 3 Sprain: Fully Torn Syndesmosis.
Complete dislocation of the talus from between the tibia and fibula.
- This is obvious, and it looks very gruesome.
- It will require many months to get better.
- This will require physician treatment immediately to relocate and assess the injury.
Recovery Time: 2-3 Months+!
- This type of ankle sprain will require a visit to your podiatrist for evaluation.
- Depending on the situation or the damage, you may need surgery to avoid future damage.
High Ankle Sprain Treatment
Now that you know what a high ankle sprain is, it’s time to treat it!
The Twisted Ankle Treatment Guide.
The best ability ankle sprain braces:
- In the first week or two after an ankle sprain, you want to stabilize it as much as possible.
- These are the best-reviewed and the most cost-effective braces we could find.
Best Ankle Stability Braces (Not for Compression):
The Best Overall Brace For Fit & Support.
Most Supportive Premium Brace.
Best Budge Supportive Brace.
Price:
$54.99
Price not available
$27.10
Overview:
Amazing brace, best fit and support combination: If you can afford it.
This is the best brace for pure support, but it can’t fit in more snug shoes.
Outstanding brace for the price point. This is a figure 8 strap with laces, soft interface.
Pros:
Amazing brace. Best reviews and best fit. This is the Ferrari of braces if you can afford it.
This is a very highly rated, great reviewed brace. The support and stability is top notch for athletics. Very durable and does it’s job.
Amazing reviews with proven track record. This is very soft and supportive in your shoe.
Cons:
The only downside besides cost, is complexity. This brace must be left or right. Not interchangeable. It is also for post-injury situations and good support. Not for compression!
The brace may be a little too big for a more snug shoe. This requires some room to fit and would be the main complaint. Hard interface along the padding.
The main downside is the durability and the ability for the material to give out. Great at first but maybe 3-4 months of continuous use prior to failure.
Important Tips:
Make sure to choose left vs. right. This is a high level brace mean specifically for injury support. This is not for compression or non-injury situations. It will be too tight.
This is a fantastic and supportive brace. Just make sure that your shoe will have some room for it to fit. Most good running shoes should let it fit.
This is an excellent starter brace if you have never had a brace before. It is a little longer to put with the straps and laces.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Compare Stores:
Best Ankle Stability Braces (Not for Compression):
The Best Overall Brace For Fit & Support.
Price:
$54.99
Overview:
Amazing brace, best fit and support combination: If you can afford it.
Pros:
Amazing brace. Best reviews and best fit. This is the Ferrari of braces if you can afford it.
Cons:
The only downside besides cost, is complexity. This brace must be left or right. Not interchangeable. It is also for post-injury situations and good support. Not for compression!
Important Tips:
Make sure to choose left vs. right. This is a high level brace mean specifically for injury support. This is not for compression or non-injury situations. It will be too tight.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Compare Stores:
Best Ankle Stability Braces (Not for Compression):
Most Supportive Premium Brace.
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
This is the best brace for pure support, but it can’t fit in more snug shoes.
Pros:
This is a very highly rated, great reviewed brace. The support and stability is top notch for athletics. Very durable and does it’s job.
Cons:
The brace may be a little too big for a more snug shoe. This requires some room to fit and would be the main complaint. Hard interface along the padding.
Important Tips:
This is a fantastic and supportive brace. Just make sure that your shoe will have some room for it to fit. Most good running shoes should let it fit.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Compare Stores:
Best Ankle Stability Braces (Not for Compression):
Best Budge Supportive Brace.
Price:
$27.10
Overview:
Outstanding brace for the price point. This is a figure 8 strap with laces, soft interface.
Pros:
Amazing reviews with proven track record. This is very soft and supportive in your shoe.
Cons:
The main downside is the durability and the ability for the material to give out. Great at first but maybe 3-4 months of continuous use prior to failure.
Important Tips:
This is an excellent starter brace if you have never had a brace before. It is a little longer to put with the straps and laces.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Compare Stores:
The best ankle sprain compression braces:
- After your initial pain goes away in the first 2 to 6 weeks, want to wear a long-term compression brace.
- These are not stable as the above stability braces. But they will provide compression and are more comfortable and normal shoes.
- These are the best-reviewed and best price braces we could find for you!
Best Heel & Ankle Compression Braces:
Best Premium Brace (Support & Compression)
Budget Brace With Some Compression & Some Support.
Price:
Price not available
$20.99
Overview:
This is The Top Level Brace – Does Compression, Support & Great Fit.
This brace attempts mild compression and mild support.
Pros:
Excellent brace: Best overall mix of compression & support, and it still fits in most shoes! If you have a chronic injury and need to wear normal shoes => This is the BEST CHOICE.
Good rating at 4.3 with 2,000 reviews. It is cost effective and gives some support with some compression. Does both ok, but excellent when price is factored in.
Cons:
Expensive. It doesn’t do any single thing the best. There are cheaper and more supportive braces, there are cheaper and more compressive braces. But no braces combine the two and still fit in a shoe.
Does not really do anything well. Weak support and not the best compression. Meant as an assist for chronic pain and low activity. Not for an acute injury.
Important Tips:
This is a high durability brace for everyday use. If you have chronic arthritis or pain with a high need for activity, this is your brace to use! **Gel inside seems to deteriorate after daily washing at about 1 year old**
This is mean for lower activity and better fit than a true supportive brace. Don’t use this for an acute sprain or injury.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Heel & Ankle Compression Braces:
Best Premium Brace (Support & Compression)
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
This is The Top Level Brace – Does Compression, Support & Great Fit.
Pros:
Excellent brace: Best overall mix of compression & support, and it still fits in most shoes! If you have a chronic injury and need to wear normal shoes => This is the BEST CHOICE.
Cons:
Expensive. It doesn’t do any single thing the best. There are cheaper and more supportive braces, there are cheaper and more compressive braces. But no braces combine the two and still fit in a shoe.
Important Tips:
This is a high durability brace for everyday use. If you have chronic arthritis or pain with a high need for activity, this is your brace to use! **Gel inside seems to deteriorate after daily washing at about 1 year old**
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Heel & Ankle Compression Braces:
Budget Brace With Some Compression & Some Support.
Price:
$20.99
Overview:
This brace attempts mild compression and mild support.
Pros:
Good rating at 4.3 with 2,000 reviews. It is cost effective and gives some support with some compression. Does both ok, but excellent when price is factored in.
Cons:
Does not really do anything well. Weak support and not the best compression. Meant as an assist for chronic pain and low activity. Not for an acute injury.
Important Tips:
This is mean for lower activity and better fit than a true supportive brace. Don’t use this for an acute sprain or injury.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Treatment:
If you think that you have a regular ankle sprain and not a high ankle sprain, then watch the following video:
Schedule Your Visit – End High Ankle Pain Sooner
Don’t Let High Ankle Sprain Pain Hold You Back.
High Ankle Sprain Recovery Time – Your Top Questions Answered
The syndesmotic ligaments stabilize two bones; healing requires more time and restricted motion.
Pain above the ankle with outward rotation is classic; X-ray or MRI rules out fracture.
For Grade II–III sprains, a boot (or cast) is recommended 2–6 weeks to protect the ligaments.
Limited, doctor-approved weight-bearing is safe once pain and swelling subside.
Only for severe Grade III tears or when the tibia/fibula separate; screws or tightrope fixation may be used.
Pain-free hopping, full ankle range of motion, and 90-100 % strength compared to the other leg are minimum benchmarks—typically 6–12 weeks.
Yes, targeted therapy restores strength, balance, and prevents chronic instability.
RICE protocol, elevation above heart level, and intermittent compression sleeves help.
A lace-up or figure-8 brace supports the joint during early return-to-play stages.
Recurrent or poorly healed sprains can alter joint mechanics, increasing long-term arthritis risk—early treatment minimizes that chance.
