Should I Play Soccer With a Sprained Ankle?
If you have a mild ankle injury, you can play through it.
What about something more severe?
If you have a Grade 2 or 3 injury (see chart), it’s best to take the time to recover. My 14-year-old son would disagree!
And, I know you might not listen to me :/ Hear me out…
Sprains happen all the time in soccer. It accounts for 16%-40% of all sports-related injuries. For this reason, I’d like to take a minute (or 5 minutes) to lay out your options.
What Are Ankle Sprains?
A sprained ankle happens when the ligaments in your ankle are stretched or torn due to sudden twisting, cutting, turning, or rolling of the ankle.
There are three grades of ankle sprains:
- Grade 1 (mildest): Mild pain and swelling. You could probably still play soccer.
- Grade 2: More painful than Grade 1 and might require you to sit out a game or two.
- Grade 3 (most severe): This is when the ankle swells up into a giant ball. Sometimes it may require surgery to get it better.
How to Heal a Sprained Ankle
Playing soccer with a sprained ankle can make the injury worse and prolong the healing process.
While it may be tempting to play through the pain, doing so can lead to long-term damage and chronic pain.
Resting and properly rehabilitating your ankle is the best way to ensure a full recovery.
I’m no Doctor and I don’t even try to play one on the internet. But, the RICE method works.
- Rest: Avoid putting weight on the injured ankle as much as possible.
- Ice: Apply ice to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Compression: Wrap the ankle with a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
- Elevation: Keep your ankle elevated above your heart to reduce swelling.
In addition to the RICE, you may also need to take pain relievers like Advil and wear a brace to support your ankle as it heals.
Be sure to consult with a medical professional before returning to soccer after a sprained ankle.
When Can I Start Playing Again?
As a simple rule, you could return to playing soccer when you have a full range of motion, little to no pain, and feel good about your strength.
If you decide to play and it starts hurting again, you should stop immediately and take a load off.
Recovery (By Sprain Grade)
When it comes to recovering from a sprained ankle, the severity of the sprain will determine the course of recovery. Here are the general guidelines for each sprain grade:
| SPRAIN GRADE | SEVERITY | RECOVERY TIME | RECOVERY ACTIVITIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | [Mild] Stretching or slight tearing of the ligament | 1-2 weeks | Avoid any activities that cause pain or discomfort, and focus on resting, icing, compressing, and elevating your ankle |
| Grade 2 | [Moderate] Sprain that involves partial tearing of the ligament | 2-4 weeks | Avoid any activities that cause pain or discomfort, and focus on resting, icing, compressing, and elevating your ankle. You may also need to wear a brace. |
| Grade 3 | [Severe] A complete tear of the ligament | Up to 12 weeks or more | You will need to follow the same recovery steps as a grade 1 or 2 sprain, but you may need to wear a cast or walking boot to immobilize the ankle. You may also need surgery to repair the torn ligament. |
What Are the Risks of Playing with a Sprained Ankle?
Sometimes it’s nothing to play with. I’m going to put my Dad hat on and let you know some of the risks that come with playing with a sprained ankle.
Aggravating or the Injury
Continuing to play soccer with a sprained ankle can aggravate your injury and make it worse.
Soccer puts a lot of stress on your ankles. Playing on it more can lead to further damage.
Also, it can cause your body to compensate resulting in other injuries!
Delaying Recovery
Whenever you’re playing with an injury, you run the risk of delaying your recovery. Sprains are no exception.
You may end up with a chronic ankle injury if you don’t let your body heal.
What If It’s an Important Game?
What if you have a sprained ankle but it’s your last game or an important tournament game? With a Grade 1 or even 2, you may be able to power through it and rest it afterward.
Only you will know. You need to listen to your body and make sure you don’t do any long-term damage.
The other thing to think about is your performance on the field. If the injury slows you down and you are ineffective, let the ego go and cheer on your teammates from the bench.
If the game is important and you feel that you can play without causing further damage to your ankle, then go for it!
