A high ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments that hold the two bones of your lower leg (the tibia and fibula) together, just above the ankle joint. It’s different from a regular ankle sprain, which usually affects the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle.
High ankle sprains are often more serious and take longer to heal, so it’s important to get them checked and treated early.
What Causes a High Ankle Sprain?
High ankle sprains usually happen when your foot is planted on the ground and your leg twists—like when changing direction suddenly, landing awkwardly, or during a fall. These injuries are common in football, netball, skiing, rugby, and basketball.
Symptoms of a High Ankle Sprain
- Pain above the ankle, not just on the outside
- Swelling around the front or sides of the lower leg
- Pain that worsens when walking or turning the foot
- Feeling of weakness or instability
- Pain when you squeeze the lower leg bones together
How Is It Diagnosed?
A physio or doctor will check the ankle with special tests to see which ligaments are affected. In some cases, you might need an X-ray or MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis and check if there’s any bone damage or widening between the bones.
Treatment for High Ankle Sprains
1. Mild to Moderate Sprains (No Instability)
- Rest and protection (e.g., a boot or brace for 2–3 weeks)
- Gentle movement and strengthening exercises once pain allows
- Balance and walking retraining as you improve
- Gradual return to sport or normal activity under physiotherapy guidance
This type of injury often takes longer to heal than a regular ankle sprain—sometimes 6–8 weeks or more.
2. Severe Sprains (With Instability or Separation of Bones)
If the bones of the leg are no longer held tightly together, surgery may be needed to secure the joint (using screws or special buttons). After surgery:
- You’ll usually wear a boot or cast
- Start rehab with a physio after a few weeks
- Return to sport typically takes a few months, depending on the injury
Why Early Treatment Matters
If a high ankle sprain is ignored or mismanaged, it can lead to chronic pain, weakness, or arthritis. Getting a proper diagnosis and starting rehab early can prevent long-term issues and get you back to walking, running, or sport much faster.
How We Can Help
At After Hours Physio, we specialise in treating all types of ankle sprains—including high ankle (syndesmotic) injuries. Whether you’re an athlete or simply rolled your ankle walking, we’ll assess your injury, explain what’s going on in plain terms, and create a step-by-step recovery plan just for you.
Need urgent care? We offer same-day appointments and after-hours support to help you start healing right away.