Is it ok to run on a mildly sprained ankle?

Question

Because I just ran 2 miles and I feel fine. It actually feels better when I run than when I walk or when I'm laying around. I sprained it 2 days ago playing football, but I kept playing since I didnt think it was to serious. I later noticed swelling so I iced and I'm also wrapping it and taking anti-inflammatorys. I know this question is kinda ridiculous, but I need to work out or I'll go crazy ...

Thanks for all the responses. I do stretch before physical activity -- I sprained it because I stepped on the back the foot of a player on the other team. Well I'm probably going to take it easy for a few days until the swelling goes down all the way. I don't want any long term injuries. Maybe I'll just take casual walks with my dog until then and work my upper body as somebody suggested. Thanks again.

Answer 1

Concentrate on upper body exercise for now. There are many exercises that do not require running. The lack of pain you do not feel when you are running is due to the bodies natural ability to produce pain relieving substances called endorphins , something like that I think. Anyhow, do abs, arms, shoulders and the like. You can even do leg extent ions or leg curls that do not require putting any sort of pressure on that food. If you continue to exercise putting pressure on that ankle it will get worse, it could cause you tendon problems or complications down the road. Once the ankle has healed you may want to do calf or ankle specific exercises to strengthen that area. I played football, ran track and was in the Army for 20 years and understood that my ankles were my weakness. I exercised them frequently to prevent injury. Stay away from wraps and the like. Those raps or supports only help to weaken the ankle (after the ankle has healed). If you are going to stay physically fit, you must listen to your body.

Answer 2

Running On Sprained Ankle

Answer 3

I think it is better for you not to run until your ankle gets better.. With it now sprained, your ankle is not in it's best condition, therefore, giving the possibility you might sprain it again. Moreover, adding pressure to an injured ankle doesn't work.. Even though it might heal later, but it will lead to other ankle or leg problems sooner or later.. I am a Tae-Won-Do Black Belt and whenever I get injuries, I stop training until my injury heals.. Because I once over-stretched my hamstring and I kept on doing intense practice and later.. It snapped.. And I had to stop my training for 2 months and live with a strap round my hamstring for that 2 whole months..

So, I think it's better for you to wait until the sprained ankle heals.. If you just can't stop yourself, do some light exercises. It will not pressure your ankle a lot but take care of unavoided accidents..

Hope you get well soon.. ^^

Answer 4

I badly sprained my ankle about 3 weeks ago. I was in a hurry going down the stairs, lost my balance and landed on a bad side of my left foot, causing my left ankle to be stretched going on the inside. The first 48 hours were excruciating and the pain was un-believable. I've never had a serious ankle injury before.

So I immediately treated it using the RICE method. The following day, the bruising and swelling were so horrible. I found out that I got a second degree sprain and immediately panicked after that. I had a football game on that week and it been looking forward to it because I've been training for rt. I had teammates that had similar injuries and it took them months to fully recover, some of them stopped playing altogether. So I kinda had a short-term depression because I can't imagine myself not being able to run and play sports anymore.

Because I was so desperate to recover again, I contacted a lot of people that I know who do sports and asked them if they had similar injuries. One friend of mine, from the boy's football team in my university, told me about H.E.M. Ankle Rehab. I got a copy 4 days after I got injured. I immediately read and followed what was instructed and felt improvement on the first day. I was able to walk a bit, but I was in pain.

A couple of days after that, the swelling and bruising were subsid-ing significantly and on the fourth day, I was walking comfortably again. Although I've had felt a bit of stiffness, I continued doing what was instructed. My sister was surprised that I have recovered this fast. I told her about this book and was shocked on how effective the procedures were. I'm just so happy that this book was shared to me and how effective it is.

Heal your ankle fully & fast?

Answer 5

Since you only have two ankles and you need both in order to walk and run well, it would be good if you take the time in order to heal that injured ankle properly. This includes staying off of the leg in order to have it heal completely Instead of going "crazy" spend your time reading up on sports injuries, and perhaps include some stretching before walking or running. Here is a site to visit www.sportsinjuriesclinic.net. and others are available on the Yahoo search engine. Best wishes get well soon

Answer 6

Residual weakness is common after any ankle sprain and can cause swelling and discomfort Ankle stability can be improved over the longterm by heelcord stretching and other exercises to strengthen leg and ankle muscles.

Answer 7

run mildly sprained ankle

Answer 8

when i started dieting, i started jogging 10 Kilometers everynight - and then my left ankle started hurting so i went for 2 more weeks and then i couldnt walk on it. so i went to see a doctor and apparently i torn some tendens or something in my left foot - so he said i can only walk and not too much; plus no jumping or puttin lotsa pressure on that foot. One night i got drunk and went to hop fences- i slipped and landed on my feet , i broke my left leg ... so i gues wat im trying to say is it wouldnt be the best - and if its just sprained maybe u can do some stretches and stuff before and after running

Answer 9

Yea love to run myself and have always just kept running throught he pain (unless it is really really swollen). Most of the time I find that it feels better or the pain goes away while I am running. I am not sure if it actually heals faster but sometimes it feels as if it does.

Answer 10

I know how you feel! I ran on mine when it still hurt. It helps if you wear a light brace, to keep pressure off it. Try getting an ACE ankle brace.