Could I Have an Ankle Sprain Without Knowing It?
May 05, 2025
Your ankle carries your entire weight with every step, jump, and turn. While it’s built to handle that load, it's also one of the easiest joints to injure: Stepping off a curb wrong, twisting your foot while walking your dog, slipping in the kitchen, or landing “off” during an intense workout are everyday activities that can cause an ankle sprain.
At South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, in San Antonio and Kerrville, Texas, our expert team is highly experienced in diagnosing and treating ankle sprain injuries, from mild to severe. If you’ve hurt your ankle or suspect something’s off, read on.
An ankle sprain happens when ligaments — or the tough, stretchy bands that connect bones within the joint — are overstretched or torn. Most often, this occurs when your foot rolls inward or outward too far, stressing the ligaments on one side of the joint.
An ankle sprain can feel like a sore, tender, or stiff muscle or a little bruise, especially in the early stages. The difference is that while a sore muscle typically gets better with rest and light use, a sprain typically won’t heal normally without proper treatment.
Depending on how far those ligaments are stretched or torn, the sprain can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
Mild sprains can also become more severe when ignored. How? If you continue to walk or exercise on a sprained ankle, you could risk reinjury, chronic pain, or even long-term joint damage. And if it heals improperly, it may never feel quite the same again.
Yes, you can — and it’s more common than you might think. Let’s say you stepped awkwardly off a stair. Your ankle twisted, and then it was just a bit sore. You figure it will get better with some rest, but days later, it’s still a little swollen and tender, maybe even slightly unstable. That could easily be a mild ankle sprain.
Because minor sprains don’t always cause intense pain, they’re often mistaken for muscle soreness or a bruise. But while sore muscles typically improve in two or three days, a sprain is less likely to — especially if you're still putting pressure on it.
If you’ve injured your ankle in any way, pay close attention to how it feels over the next few hours and days. Signs that could point to a mild to moderate sprain include:
Even if your ankle pain seems mild, any of these signs could mean there’s some minor to moderate ligament damage that requires targeted care.
When an ankle sprain goes untreated, you’re at risk for complications. Ligaments that don’t heal properly can remain stretched out and unstable. That instability makes future sprains more likely and increases your chances of long-term issues like chronic pain or early-onset arthritis.
Some people also develop something called chronic ankle instability, where the injured joint constantly feels like it’s about to roll or give out. This issue often starts with a poorly managed sprain that never fully healed. If you suspect a sprain, begin early care with the RICE method:
The next step is to have your painful ankle checked out by one of our experienced podiatrists, especially if the pain or swelling lasts more than a couple of days.
If you’ve tweaked your ankle and you’re still feeling it days later, don’t brush it off. Even a mild sprain will heal faster with professional care. Schedule an appointment with our experts at your nearest South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, office in San Antonio or Kerrville, Texas, today.